Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 



511 



Genus DRYOBATES Boie. 



189. Dryobates villosus (Linn.). 

 Hairy Woodpecker. 



Distr. : Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia, west 

 to Kansas and Nebraska. 



Adult male: Crown and greater portion of upper plumage, black; 

 a scarlet nuchal band; a white stripe over the eye, bordered below 



Hairy Woodpecker. 



by a black stripe through the eye, then another white stripe bordered 

 below by a black one on the sides of the throat; a patch on side of 

 neck and middle of back, white; wings, heavily spotted with white; 

 under parts, white; middle tail feathers, black; outer tail feathers, 

 white. 



Adult female: Similar, but without scarlet on back of the head. 



Young birds have the crown more or less tinged with red, and occa- 

 sionally dull yellow. 



Length, about 9.45; wing, 4.50 to 5; tail, 3.25; bill, 1.25. 



The Hairy Woodpecker resembles the Downy Woodpecker in 

 plumage, but is much larger, and the outer tail feathers are white, not 

 irregularly barred with black, as in the latter species. 



It is a common species in Illinois and Wisconsin, being a resident 

 in both states throughout the year. A number of specimens in the 

 Field Museum collection, taken in northern Wisconsin in winter, 

 proved to be this form. 



The nest is generally in a hole in a dead tree. The eggs are from 

 4 to 6, pure white, and measure about .96 x .76 inches. Nidification 

 usually commences in Illinois the latter part of April. 



