44^ • WOODPECKERS. 



vided pair. The eggs and young of this and many other birds 

 occasionally fall a prey to the attacks of the common black 

 snake. The young are easily tamed for a while, and when left 

 at large come for some time regularly to be fed, uttering a cry 

 to call attention. I have seen them feed on corn-meal paste, 

 a large piece of which the bird would carry off to a distance 

 and eat at leisure. 



This species is common in Ontario and near Montreal, but is 

 only an accidental visitor to other portions of eastern Canada. It 

 is usually a rare bird to the eastward of the Hudson River, though 

 it is said to be rather common in Western Vermont, and in the 

 fall of 1 88 1 it was quite common in other parts of New England. 



The habit of this bird — in common with others of the family — 

 to store nuts and grain for winter use, briefly alluded to by Nuttall, 

 has been confirmed frequently by recent observers. An interesting 

 paper on this subject by O. P. Hay appeared in the " Auk " for 

 July, 1887. 



RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 



Melanerpes carolinus. 



Char. Above, black and white in narrow bands ; tail black and 

 white ; beneath, pale buff; belly rosy red. Male, with crown and back 

 of head scarlet, which in the female is replaced by dull ash. 



Nest. Usually in a secluded forest of tall trees ; a cavity cut in a dead 

 trunk or limb. 



Eggs. 4-6; white and glossy ; i.oo X 0.75. 



This species inhabits the whole North American continent, 

 from the interior of Canada to Florida, and even the island of 

 Jamaica, in all of which countries it probably rears its young, 

 migrating only partially from the colder regions. This also, 

 like the preceding, is unknown in all the eastern parts of Mas- 

 sachusetts, and probably New Hampshire. 



The Red-bellied Woodpecker dwells in the solitude of the 

 forest ; amidst the tall and decayed trees only he seeks his less 

 varied fare, and leads a life of roving wildness and independ- 

 ence, congenial with his attachment to freedom and liberty. 

 Sometimes, however, on the invasion of his native haunts by 



