114 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



again during the first half of October. A few individuals 

 remain in almost any locality all winter. 



154. (405a.) Ceophlceus pileatus abieticola Bangs. 



144. 

 Northern Pileated Woodpecker. 



Synonyms: Hylotomus pileatus, Picus pileatus, Ceophlceus 

 pileatus. 

 Pileated Woodpecker, Logcock, Woodcock, Big Black Wood- 

 pecker, Black Woodpecker, King of the Woods, Cock of 

 the Woods. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 



The decrease in the numbers of this species heralded by 

 Dr. Wheaton in 1882, has gone on steadily, but less rapidly 

 •than during his long term of study. From all reports it is 

 now almost gone from the northwestern parts of the state, 

 but can be found in the eastern and middle-southern parts 

 where some heavy timber is still allowed to stand. The 

 cutting down of a large tract of swampy woods in Ashta- 

 bula county has driven some of the birds remaining there 

 to the woods surrounding Jefferson, where Mr. Robert J. 

 Sim enjoyed the rare opportunity of watching a pair at 

 their household affairs during last spring. The writer saw 

 the tree, in September of the same year, and listened to the 

 weird laugh of the birds. If the woods are doomed the 

 Pileated Woodpecker's days are numbered. We cannot but 

 mourn the passing of this majestic "King of the Woods." 



The food consists principally of the larvae of wood-boring 

 beetles, ants, and wild fruits. It is, therefore, one of our 

 best forest preservers. 



155. (406.) Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.) 146. 



Red-headed Woodpecker. 



Synonyms: Picus erythrocephalus. 



Red-head, Tricolor. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 162. 



The Red-head is one of our commonest summer birds. It 

 may fairly be called abundant after the young have left the 



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