Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs 



4 to 6 glossy white eggs are laid in a hole in either tree or 

 stump, or even telegraph pole. Size i.oo x .78. 



These birds, in their bright tricolour of red, white, and black, 

 are conspicuous wherever found ; it is difficult to imagine a much 

 more striking plumage ; whether in the air, against the tree trunk, 

 or in the foliage, one of their broad patches of colour is sure to be 

 visible. 



In some respects these woodpeckers almost resemble fly- 

 catchers ; they sit on an isolated tree or stump, making short 

 sallies after insects ; these they catch with great dexterity in mid- 

 air, invariably returning to the same place, which is sometimes 

 within a few feet of their nest. The breeding holes, which are 

 new each season, are often in large, live trees of almost any 

 variety, but I think stumps and dead or partly dead trees are per- 

 haps preferred ; in some instances the eggs have been deposited 

 in buildings. 



The breeding season begins rather before the middle of May. 



4O9. Red-bellied Woodpecker: Melanerpes carolinus 

 (Linn.) 



Adult $ Upper parts black and white barred ; head and neck 

 crimson ; under parts whitish. 



Adult $ Back of head and nostrils crimson. Length 9. 50. 



Breeding Range The Eastern States, ''from Florida to Maryland, 

 and in the interior to Ontario and southern Dakota" (Chap- 

 man). 



The nests are in holes in trees, usually less than twenty feet 

 from the ground. The eggs, 4 to 6 in number, are white. 

 Size i.oo x .78. 



The breeding season begins early in May. 



412. Flicker; Golden-winged Woodpecker: Colaptes 

 auratus (Linn.) 



Adult 3 Upper parts grayish brown, with narrow bars of 



black ; rump white ; tail black, with yellow shafts ; head 



gray, with a scarlet band across the neck and black patch 



below eye ; primaries black above, with yellow shafts, and 



104 



