286 



OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



fall it is unable to obtain its food. During open winters a few usually remain 

 throughout the entire season. It is ordinarily not seen far from water, and for nest- 

 ing purposes it selects the bank of a stream. The eggs are deposited usually before 

 the middle of May, and are, when the complement is complete, six or seven in number. 

 Occupied nests have been observed from May 17 to June 15 ; that on the former date 

 containing eggs one-fourth incubated, that on the latter five fully feathered young. 

 The young in this nest were ranged in a row across the chamber at the inner extrem- 

 ity of the burrow, and were crowded close together, all facing the entrance, thus from 

 without presenting quite an odd appearance The burrow is usually three or four 

 feet in length, sometimes straight, but generally diverted horizontally at a greater or 

 less angle 



The measurements of four nests result as follows : 



In all the nests that have been examined, the eggs were deposited in the enlarge- 

 ment at the extremity of the passage, upon a quantity of fish bones, fish scales, 

 and sometimes remains of crustaceans. The Kingfisher's habit of constructing its nest 

 of twigs, grass, feathers, etc., mentioned by Wilson, Gentry and some other writers, 

 seems to be the exception rather than the rule, or at least to a considerable degree a 

 local occurrence. 



Madame Ceryle is, when sitting, difficult to dislodge from her nest, and snaps 

 viciously at anything that comes within her reach. A lighted match fastened to the 

 end of a stick and thrust into the nest is invariably picked at until extinguished. She 

 usually remains while the digging out of the nest is in progress, attempting to escape 

 only as the chamber containing the eggs is neared, sometimes even then refusing to 

 leave until removed by force. 



ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. 

 FAMILY PICID>. WOODPECKERS. 

 GENUS DRYOBATES BOIE. 



76 Dryobates villosus (LINN.). 

 Hairy Woodpecker. 



A common resident ; more numerous in fall and winter than at other seasons. 

 There is in this locality apparently a remarkable predominance of females, since out 

 of a series of fourteen specimens, taken principally during fall and winter, only three are 



