SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER. 



394. Dryobates pubescens. 6 inches. 

 The male has a red nuchal patch while the female 

 has none. Downies are one of the commonest of our 

 Woodpeckers and are usually tame, allowing a very 

 close approach before flying. They remain in orchards 

 and open woods throughout the summer, and in win- 

 ter often come to the windows in places where they 

 are fed, as many people are in the habit of doing now. 

 Their food, as does that of nearly all the Woodpeckers, 

 consists entirely of insects, grubs and larvae. 



Note. A sharp "peenk" or a rapid series of the same 

 note, usually not as loud as that of the Hairy Wood- 

 pecker. 



Nest. In holes in trees in orchards or woods, the 

 four to six white eggs being laid on the bare wood; 

 size .75 x .60. 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States. 



Sub-species. Northern Downy Woodpecker (me- 

 dianus ) , North America east of the Rockies and north 

 of the Carolinas. This variety is slightly larger than 

 the southern; others are found west of the Rockies. 



