330 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
most common winter species. I once found a male of this species 
diligently digging a hole in a small stump in October, presumably 
for winter quarters. (W. E. Saunders.) 
A tolerably common resident in the wooded sections of Mani- 
toba, but is scarce in the more southern portion. (E. T. Seton.) 
Resident at Aweme, Man. In winter it is usually found in spruce 
woods. (Criddle.) An abundant resident species in Manitoba 
and observed west along the G. T. P. Ry. to Edmonton, Alta. 
(Atkinson.) Only a few specimens were seen at Indian Head, Sask., 
in 1892; one specimen was taken at Medicine Hat, Sask., April 
12th, 1894. Observed one, April 22nd, 1897, at Edmonton, Alta.; 
saw another on the 29th; apparently quite rare; one seen at Crow 
Nest pass in July; a pair seen at Peace River Landing, Atha., in 
1903, and another pair at Fernie, B.C. in 1904. Specimens were 
taken at Banff, Alta., in August, 1891. (Spreadborough.) 
BREEDING NotEes.—I have occasionally seen this bird in the 
winter, but not so often as the hairy. It breeds later; most of 
the nests I have seen contained fresh eggs the last week of May, 
although once I found young birds at that date. (Rev. C. J. Young.) 
On May 2tst, 1900, I found this bird nesting abundantly in the 
woods north of Waterloo, Ont. Almost every decayed stub or 
broken tree contained a nest of five to six eggs. (W. Raine.) Nests 
in trees near Ottawa, Ont. Nest always ina hole in a tree or stump, 
composed of chips and dust. Eggs four to five, pure white. (G. R. 
Wiute.) All the nests found by me near Aweme, Man., were in 
aspen woods and trees. Lays six or seven eggs of a glossy white 
colour. (Criddle.) The entrance to the cavity in which the downy 
woodpecker places its nest has a diameter of one inch and a quarter. 
The cavity itself is six inches deep and the nest is made of chips. 
The bird chooses either a stump or a tree and the elevation from 
the ground is between one foot and twenty-five feet. I have found 
in May and June, four, five, six and once seven eggs in the same 
nest. (A. L. Garneau.) 
394a. Gairdner Woodpecker. 
Dryobates pubescens gairdnerit (AUD.) RipGW. 1885. 
General west of Coast range. (Lord.) Rather common through- 
out the coast region; breeds. (Streator.) A common resident 
