WOODPPXKERS. 



231 



sometimes is prolonged into a rattling call. Like other Woodpeckers, 

 in the spring he beats a rolling tattoo on u resonant limb, sounding a 

 reveille which is a credit to so small a drummer. 



The Downy is a sociable Woodpecker, and when the gay summer 

 visitors have returned to th"ir southern homes and the wind whistles 

 drearily through the leafless trees, he joins the Chickadees and Nut- 

 hatches, and (luring the winter they are inseitarable companions. Per- 

 hai)s they share with him the snug quarters in some old trunk which 

 he has hollowed out for a winter home. 



395. Dryobates borealis ( I'hiU.). Red-cockaded VV(i(ii)i>e<kek. 



Ai/. (5 . — Crown lihic'k, a smdU tuft of scarltt feathers on either ride of thi back 

 of the heiul ; baok harrud with lihiok and wliito ; wintr.s .spotted with black 

 an<l white; miildlc tail-fuatliei's black, outer ones with broken black bars; ear 

 region wiiite, sejiarated from the white tliroat by a black stripe running tVoin 

 the bill to the slioukler; sides and under tail-coverts spotted and streaked 

 with black ; rest ot" the under parts wliite. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but without 

 scarlet on tiie head. L.. S-40; W., 4-<;5 ; T., ;V10 : B., -sO. 



lianije. — Southern United States, westward to Indian Territory, and nortli- 

 ward to Tenm'ss<'e and Viririnia. 



J'l^Y, in the higher j>art of a jiine tree. Kijijx.^ tour to six, -lU x 'CS. 



This species is a common inhabitant of the "piny woods." It pre- 

 fers the higher branches of the trees, and frequently hangs head down- 

 ward while feeding on a cone at the extremity of a branch. Its call- 

 note suggests the ynulx, ytnili, of the White-bellied Nuthatch, but js 

 louder, hoarser, and not so distinctly enunciated. 



400. Picoides arcticus (S mi inf.). Aacnc Thkee-toeu Woou- 

 PECKEH. (See Fig. ii7,h.) Ad. $. — Toes three, two in front; middle of the 

 crown with a liright orange-yellow pateii ; rest of the ujiinT juirts shining 

 black; wing-feathers spotted with white; miildle tail-featiiers black, oiitcr 

 ones white, exci'iit at tiie base; a white line from the nostril j>asses below the 

 eye; sides barred with black and white; rest of the under parts wliite. Ad. 

 9. — Similar, but without orange-yellow on the crown. L., y-r)0; W., frlO; 

 T., 3-40 ; H. from N., •<>«. 



liamje. — Northern North America, south to the northern Tnited States. 



i\V,s'<, within ten feet of the ground. Kikis, four to six. 1'05 x •1^. 



"It is a restless, active bird, spending its time generally on the 

 topmost branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself 

 to fines. Although it can not be called shy. its habitual restlessness 

 renders it diflicult of approach. Its movements resemi)le those of the 

 Hed-cockaded Woodpecker, but it is still more piMulant than that 

 bird. ... Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species above 

 mentioned, but are louder and more shrdl, like those of .some small 

 quadruped suffering great pain. . . . 



"Its ilight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulating. . . . "-iw and 



