OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. i;tt 



ity. The ground-color is a pure crystalline white. They 

 measure 1.02 of an inch in length and .74 in width. 



Picus pubescens, Linn. 



The Downy Woodpecker, or Lesser Sap-Sucker, breeds 

 wherever found, and has nearly as wide a distribution as the 

 preceding species. Dr. Woodhouse met with it in Texas. 

 New Mexico, and the Indian Territory, and affirms it to be 

 a very common species throughout the maritime parts of 

 Alii ska, exclusive of the Aleutian Islands. In the Yukon 

 Valley, it is also quite abundant. Audubon found it gener- 

 allv quite common from Lower Louisana to Labrador, and 

 westward as far as he travelled; Richardson, in the fur 

 countries of the 58 of north latitude, where it seeks its food 

 upon the birch and aspen. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, we have found it to be more abun- 

 dant than villosus, and fully as familiar. It delights in sim- 

 ilar situations, and if anvthing, manifests a stronger predilec- 

 tion for the habitations of man. At all seasons, but 

 particularly during the continuance of the cold weather, it may 

 Lie often seen gleaning among the apple-trees of the orchard, 

 the maples of our lawns, and along the streets of populous 

 towns, for whatever of insect-life has chanced to hide itself 

 beneath the bark. Accustomed to man from lono- years of 



O J 



experience, it forages in his presence with a confidence which 

 is seemingly fixed and unshaken, as any attempts to interfere 

 with its feeding, or to drive it away, are certainly not con- 

 strued as manifestations of ill-will or repugnance, for it 

 leaves but to return almost the same instant. 



Its general movements are a perfect counterpart of those 

 of vil/osiis. Its flight is rapid, and accomplished in short 

 undulations. 



The call-note of this bird is a simple tchink, which is pro- 

 duced with a sharp intonation, and uttered at irregular in- 

 tervals whilst passing from tree to tree, and. sometimes, while 



