144 On the Birds of Ritchie Count}/. 



Family CUCULID^. Cuckoos. 



82. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.) Bd. Rare. One specimen seen 

 by Mr. Deane, May 5th. 



Family ITCID^S. Woodpeckers. 



83. Hylotomus pileatus (L.) Bd. Only a few individuals noted, 

 most of which were observed well up on the mountain sides, though I 

 shot a tine male on one occasion, in the very outskirts of the village, 

 coming upon him suddenly as he was hammering away at an old pros- 

 trate log. 



84. Picus villosus L. Not rare. Found usually in the woods. Spec- 

 imens average considerably smaller than those taken in New England 

 but differ not appreciably in other respects. 



85. Picus pubescens L. Rather more common than the preceding but 

 still hardly abundant. Confined principally to the woods. 



86. Centurus Carolinus (L.) Bp. Not common, about half a dozen 

 individuals noted iu all. In habits, it seemed to me to resemble most 

 closely Melanerpus erythrocephaltis, like that bird showing great skill iu 

 winding about the tree trunks and keeping always on the side farthest 

 from the observer. 



The only note heard was a raucous cr-ruk very like the croak of a frog. 

 Its tapping roll was also peculiar and rather more feeble than in most 

 of the family. This tapping is so far as I have observed, a regular 

 spring note or call and never (in its restricted sense) heard at any other 

 season. It is likewise specifically characteristic, and in Maine where 

 the Picidse are very largely represented, I have always been accustomed 

 to rely quite as much upon the tapping as a means of identification as 

 upon any of the vocal notes. Thus, P. pith, sens has a long unbroken 

 roll, P. villosus a shorter and louder one with a greater interval between 

 each stroke: while S. varius commencing with a short roll ends very 

 emphatically with five or six distinct disconnected taps. In this latter 

 species I am convinced it is literally a call of recognition, as I have 

 repeatedly seen the bird after producing it, listen a moment when it 

 would be answered from a distance and its mate would shortly appear 

 and join it. 



87. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (L.) Sw. Rather commou, but appar- 

 ently restricted almost altogether to the forest. 



88. Colaptus auratus (L.) Sw. Very common. Found everywhere. 



Family STRIGIDJE. Owls. 



89. Scops asio (L ) Bp. A single specimen in the red plumage was 

 noted by Mr. Deane, April 27th. It was surrounded by a mob of small 

 birds and was too shy to admit of its capture. 



