194 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



404. Williamson Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. 



Range. Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to British 

 Columbia. 



This cddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in 

 plumage; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and breast, 

 with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the belly, bright yellow. 

 The female is entirely different in plumage and for a long time was supposed to 

 be a distinct species; she is brownish in place of the black in the male, has no 

 red in the plumage, and is barred with black and white on the back 

 and wings. They nest at high altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coni- 

 ferous forests or in aspens. There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they 

 lay from four to seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 x .67. 



405. Pileated Woodpecker. Ceophlosus pileatus. 



Range. Southern and South Atlantic States. 



This heavily built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-bill, being 17 

 inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the Ivory-bills, their 

 plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and the white on the wing, 

 being confined to a very small patch at the base of the primaries; the whole 

 crown and crest are vermilion, as is also a moustache mark in the male. They 

 breed in the most heavily timbered districts, and generally at a high elevation; 

 excavating a cavity sometimes 24 inches in depth and eight inches in diameter. 

 In most localities they are very shy and difficult to approach. During April or 

 May they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.30 x 1.00. 



405a. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. Ceophlceus pileatus abieticola. 



Range. Local throughout North America, from the northern parts of the 

 United States northward. 



This variety is only very slightly larger than the preceding, it otherwise being 

 the same. It is still abundant in many localities, but its range is rapidly being 

 reduced, on account of cutting away the forests. Its nesting habits and eggs 

 are the same as those of the southern variety. 



406. Red-headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 



Range. United States, east of the Rockies, except New England; north to 

 southern Canada; winters in southern United States. 



This beautiful species has a bright red head, neck and 

 fore breast, glossy blue black back, wings and tail, and 

 white underparts, rump and secondaries. It is the most 

 abundant of the family in the greater portion of its range, 

 where it nests in any kind of trees or in telegraph poles at 

 any height from the ground; they also sometimes nest in 

 holes under the eaves of buildings. They are the most 

 pugnacious of the Woodpeckers, and are often seen chasing 

 one another or driving away some other bird. They are 

 also known to destroy the nests and eggs of many species, 

 and also to kill and devour the young, they being the only Woodpecker, so far 

 as known, to have acquired this disreputable habit; they also feed upon, besides 

 ants and larvae, many kinds of fruit and berries. Their nesting season is dur- 

 ing May and June, when they lay from four to eight white eggs, with less gloss 

 than those of the Flicker. Size 1.00 x .75. 



[White.] 



