WOODPECKERS. 227 



the sides bluish gray in immature specimens tinged with rufous lower 

 breast and belly white. Ad. 9 . Similar to the male, but the sides and a 

 band on the belly rufous. L., 13-02; W., 6-17 ; T., 3-60 ; B., 2-00. 



Range. North America ; breeds from Florida to Labrador, and winters 

 from Virginia to South America. 



Washington, common F. K. Sing Sing, common S. R., Apl. 1 to Nov. 23; 

 casual in winter. Cambridge, common S. K., Apl. 10 to Oct. 



Nest, in a hole in a bank, about six feet from the entrance. Eggs, live 

 to eight, white, 1-34 x 1-05. 



The shores of wooded streams or ponds are the chosen haunts of 

 the Kingfisher. Silently he perches on some limb overhanging the 

 water, ever on the alert for food or foe. Paddle toward him as quietly 

 as you please, just as you reach his danger line he drops from his 

 perch and with loud, rattling call flies on ahead. This may be re- 

 peated several times, until finally the limits of his wanderings are 

 reached, when he makes a wide detour and returns to the starting point. 



The Kingfisher hunts after the manner of the Fish Hawk. In 

 passing over the water it needs only the glint of a shining fin or scale 

 just beneath the surface to catch his watchful eye. On quickly mov- 

 ing wings he hovers over the place, waiting only a fair chance to 

 plunge on the unsuspecting fish below. Emerging from the water 

 with his prey in his bill, he shakes the spray from his plumage, and, 

 with an exultant rattle, flies away to some favorite perch. 



ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. 



FAMILY PICIDJE. WOODPECKERS. 



Woodpeckers are found in all the wooded parts of the world ex- 

 cept Australia and Madagascar. About three hundred and fifty 

 species are known, of which nearly one half are confined to the 

 New World. Some twenty-five of this number are found in North 

 America. Woodpeckers are rather solitary birds, but are sometimes 

 found associated in scattered companies during their migrations. 

 Above all other birds they are especially adapted to creep or climb. 

 The peculiar structure of the foot, with its two toes directed for- 

 ward and two backward (except in one genus), assists them in cling- 

 ing to an upright surface, while the pointed, stiffened tail-feathers 

 serve as a prop when the bird is resting. The stout, chisel-like bill is 

 used to cut away wood and expose the hiding places of grubs, etc., 

 when the long, distensible tongue with its horny, spearlike tip is 

 thrust in, the food impaled and drawn out. The vocal powers of 

 Woodpeckers are limited, and the bill is also used to beat the long, 

 rolling call which is their love-song. The eggs of Woodpeckers are 



