AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 



401. Picoides americanus. S^ inches. 



Readily distinguished from the last species by the 

 presence of white bars on the back. Male with a 

 patch of yellow on the crown, usually mixed with 

 white. 



These birds do not appear to be as common within 

 the United States as the Arctic variety, and they seem 

 to be even more hardy than the latter. Both species 

 commence to nest before the snow is off the ground. 

 The habits of the two birds are the same and do not 

 differ materially from those of the Woodpeckers with 

 which we are more familiar. 



Note. A peculiar, harsh, nasal chink. 



Nest. In holes in trees from four to twenty feet 

 from the ground, and frequently in dead stumps stand- 

 ing in the waters of lakes or ponds; in May they lay 

 four or five glossy white eggs (.95x.70). 



Range. Northern X. A., breeding from the higher 

 portions of northern Maine, New York and Minne- 

 sota northward. In winter they migrate southward 

 slightly. 



