145 



Economic Status. Of the general usefulness of the Woodpeckers, 

 with the exception of the Sapsuckers, there can be little doubt. They 

 are almost entirely insectivorous. They pursue wood-boring grubs by 

 drilling holes in even apparently healthy though really infested trees and 

 are, therefore, beneficial, not harmful. 



Genus Dryobates. Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. 



393. Hairy Woodpecker. PR. LE PIC CHEVELU. Dryobates vittosus. L, 9-40. 

 Almost exactly like the next species, but larger. Plate XVIII A. 



Distil, rtions. The Downy Woodpecker is the only species with which this is likely to 

 be confused. Size is the best means of differentiation, but the white of the outer tail feathers 

 being solid instead of barred with black, is diagnostic. 



Field Marks. The spotted black and white coloration to mark the genus and the size 

 to separate it from the Downy. 



Nesting. In holes drilled in dead stubs or living trees. 



Distribution. The Hairy Woodpecker in its various subspecies is found over all the 

 wooded parts of Canada, breeding everywhere except perhaps in the most pouthern portions 

 of Ontario. 



SUBSPECIES. The species in eastern Canada is divided into two geographical 

 races, the Eastern Hairy, the type form, and the Northern Hairy D. v. leucomelas. The 

 latter is the one usually but incorrectly given as the bird of southern Canada. It is of 

 slightly larger size and of more northern distribution, only occasionally coming down into 

 settled districts in winter and perhaps never appearing in the lower Great Lakes region. 



The Hairy Woodpecker gets its name from the white feathers of the 

 back, which fall over the black borders in a loose disconnected way faintly 

 suggestive of hairs. It is one of the common Woodpeckers and quite 

 typical of the family in its habits. It is not as familiar about houses or 

 orchards as the Downy Woodpecker, preferring the woods to orchard or 

 shade trees. 



Economic Status. Insects constitute 77 per cent of the food of this 

 species; they are mostly beetles, but include ants, scales, and sawflies; 

 22 per cent is vegetable, almost entirely wild fruit. 



394. Downy Woodpecker. FR. LE PIC MINTJLE. Dryobates pubescens. L, 6-83. 

 Plate XVIII A. 



Distinctions. The Downy can be separated from the Hairy Woodpecker by its smaller 

 size and the black barring on the white outer tail feathers. 



Field Marks. Size is the best field mark. 



Nesting. In holes drilled in dead trees and stubs. 



Distribution. The Downy Woodpecker with its various subspecies occupies all 

 temperate America, breeding in Canada wherever found. 



SUBSPECIES. The species is divided into several geographical races. The form 

 of eastern Canada, the Northern Downy D. p. medianus, is separated from the type form 

 only by a slight difference in size. 



The Downy Woodpecker is our commonest Woodpecker. It comes 

 close about the house and is quite at home in the orchard and among the 

 shade trees of towns and parks. As it is resident in Canada throughout 

 the year it is of particular value to the husbandman. 



Economic Status. Being the most fearless of the Woodpeckers and 

 coming close about the fields and houses where it is most needed, it is an 

 invaluable bird. Peering into every crack and crevice of shade and fruit 

 trees and drilling for deeper-lying insects it well complements the work of 



