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THE RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. 



(Sphyrapicus ruder.) 



The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a resi- difficult to work when partly decayed, 



dent of the Pacific Coast, ranging from which seems to be the case with nearly all 



northern Lower California northward to aspens of any size." The larger chips are 



Southern Alaska. It extends its flight dropped from the nest and their presence 



and breeds as far east as the Sierra Ne- on the ground at the base of the tree is 



vada and Cascade Mountains. It belongs quite a sure indication of the proximity 



to the family of Woodpeckers (Picidae). of the nest of this or some related species. 



The generic name, Sphyrapicus, is taken The period of incubation probably lasts 



from two Greek words that refer to the twelve or more days, and its labors seem 



habits of these birds sphura, a hammer to be shared by both sexes. During this 



and pikos, a woodpecker. The specific period, if the birds are disturbed by a 



name, ruber, means red. close approach to their nest, they fly away 



Like its eastern relative, the Yellow- for a short distance uttering sounds of a 

 bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), it soft, plaintive character, that are variable 

 punctures trees possibly in order to feed and difficult of description. These Sap- 

 upon the exuding sap or the insects at- suckers are watchful and devoted parents 

 tracted by its flow, yet this bird does not and cases have been reported where the 

 develop this habit to so great an extent mother bird has been easily captured be- 

 as the eastern species, for it will com- cause of her refusal to leave her young, 

 pletely girdle a tree with punctures, which As a rule, but a single brood is raised 

 at times will cause its death. A direct each season. There are five or six eggs 

 evidence of this is found in the fact that in and occasionally seven in each set, which 

 localities where the Red-breasted Sap- vary in form though they are always of 

 sucker is abundant indications of their the ovate type. At times they are quite 

 work are not usually common. The adult elongated. When fresh, the yolk may be 

 birds are beautifully marked with crim- seen through the thin shell, giving a 

 son on the head and breast, while in the pinkish shade to the egg. When the con- 

 young the color is brownish and the yel- tents are removed the shell is white, 

 low of the belly is wanting. showing some lustre. 



These birds seem to prefer aspen trees The food of this species, in addition to 



for their homes, selecting one which is a the sap and inner bark of the trees they 



foot or more in diameter near the puncture, if it is true that they use this 



ground. They excavate a cavity in the as food, consists of ants, insect larvae, 



trunk several feet from the ground, the moths and butterflies, many of which are 



door of which, a small round hole, less caught on the wing, and small fruits, 



than two inches in diameter, seems far Like all the Sapsuckers and the other 



too small for the parent birds to enter, woodpeckers, the sense of hearing is well 



'The gourd-shaped excavation varies in developed and it is usually very difficult 



depth from six to ten inches, and it is to approach them without detection, 



from three inches near the top to four or A sister species of the Sapsucker of our 



five inches wide at the bottom. The finer illustration is the beautiful Williamson's 



chips are allowed to remain in the bot- Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus), an 



torn, forming the nest proper, on which inhabitant of the Pacific cos. -it. This bird 



the eggs are deposited. The interior of differs from all of the woodpeckers in' that 



the entire excavation is most carefully the two sexes show a great difference in 



smoothed off, which must consume con- coloration. So marked is this difference 



siderable time, considering the tough, that for a long time they were described 



stringy and elastic nature of the wood as distinct species, 

 when filled with sap, making it even more 



