WOODPECKERS: Family Picidae [381] 



EARLY RECORDS in this group of woodpeckers, as in many other variable 

 species, have been greatly confused, and it is impossible to assign many 

 of them to the correct subspecies. All records in the above outlined 

 territory, however, belong to Harris's Woodpecker unless otherwise 

 specified. We have had 98 Oregon skins available for working out the 

 distribution of the three subspecies that occur here. Audubon (1839) 

 described the present form from specimens taken at Vancouver, Washing- 

 ton, and there have been many records since of this common woodpecker, 

 although the records of Suckley (Cooper and Suckley 1860) at The Dalles 

 and those of various early collectors for eastern Oregon must now be 

 referred to other races. One of the curious anomalies of bird distribution 

 is presented by the comparative abundance of the woodpeckers of the 

 villosus and -pubescent groups. Within the range of D. v. harrisi, the villosus 

 group is comparatively much less abundant than its smaller relative, 

 whereas the reverse is true in southern and eastern Oregon. Within the 

 territory assigned to it, Harris's Woodpecker is a permanent resident, 

 and, in addition, we have a summer bird from Butte Falls, Jackson 

 County, July 2.2., 192.6, (Gabrielson Coll.) and one bird taken at Grants 

 Pass, December n, 1918, (Jewett Coll.) that are harrisi. Curiously 

 enough, a Modoc Woodpecker was taken at the same time. Our own 

 notes contain records for every month for the Willamette Valley and 

 along the coast. 



The eggs are laid in April and May in holes excavated by the powerful 

 chisel-like beak, usually in living trees, and the young are usually hatched 

 by May 15. Woodcock (1902.) recorded a set of four fresh eggs taken 

 May 30, near Salem. 



These handsome big woodpeckers are essentially birds of the coniferous 

 forests, where their rolling tattoo and high-pitched alarm note are familiar 

 sounds. They are usually shy and not too easily seen within the heavy 

 forests. Even in the open cut-over lands they are adept at keeping a 

 branch or tree trunk between themselves and an intruder. If an observer 

 remains quiet, the birds, which freeze into instant silent watchfulness at 

 his approach, soon forget him and proceed about their business of drilling 

 for insects and larvae in the trees. If he scrambles noisily through the 

 woods, however, the first intimation of the woodpecker's presence will 

 be a high-pitched alarm note given as it hastily leaves its perch in un- 

 dulating flight and seeks a safer vantage point. 



Modoc Woodpecker: 



Dryobates villosus orius Oberholser 



DESCRIPTION.- Very similar to harrisi, except paler beneath and somewhat smaller. 

 Si%e: Length (skins) 7.159.15, wing 4.91-5.10, tail 1.74-3.19, bill 1.06-1.36. 

 Nest and eggs: Identical with those of D. v. harrisi. 



