82 DOWNY WOODPECKER. 



at all times lively and happy. Their shrill rolling notes are heard at a 

 considerable distance, as well as those which they use when calling to 

 each other. Their food, during summer, consists of insects and their 

 larvae ; but, at the approach of autumn, they feed on fruits of various 

 kinds, especially small grapes, and the berries of the poke-weed. The 

 extensile portion of the tongue of this species, as well as of Picus varius, 

 P. villosus, and P. querulus, is cylindrical or vermiform, while the extre- 

 mity, or tongue itself, is linear, flat above, convex beneath, with project- 

 ing edges which are serrated backwards, the tip pointed. 



The flight of the Downy Woodpecker, like that of the other species, 

 is performed by glidings and undulations, between each of which it utters 

 a single click note ; and, although usually short, is capable, on occasion, 

 of being protracted. The bird is by no means shy or suspicious, and 

 scarcely pays any attention to man, even when standing close to the tree 

 on which it is at work. Towards winter many individuals migrate south- 

 ward, and spend their time in the immediate neighbourhood of the planter's 

 dwelling. 



I have observed that during their stay in the Floridas, Georgia, and 

 the Carolinas, their breast and belly are so soiled by the carbonaceous 

 matter adhering to the trees, in consequence of the burning of the grass 

 at that season, that one might be apt to take a specimen in that state, as 

 belonging to a different species. 



Picus pubescens, lAnn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 175. Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds 

 of the United States, p. 46. Nuttalt, Manual, part i. p. 576. 



Downy Woodpecker, Pjcus pubescens, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 153. pi. 9. 

 fig. 4. 



Adult Male. Plate CXII. Fig. 1. 



Bill longish, straight, strong, tapering, compressed, slightly truncated 

 and cuneate at the tip ; mandibles of equal length, both nearly straight in 

 their dorsal outline, their sides convex ; nostrils basal, oval, covered by 

 recumbent bristly feathers. Head of moderate size, neck of ordinary 

 length, body robust. Feet rather short, strong ; tarsus strong, scutellate 

 before ; two toes before and two behind, the inner hind toe shortest ; 

 claws strong, arched, very acute. 



Plumage soft, with rather disunited barbs, slightly glossed ; wings 

 large, the third and fourth quills longest ; tail longish, cuneate, of ten 

 tapering stiff" feathers, worn to a point. 



