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GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 

 Pic us auratvs, Linn. 



PLATE XXXVII. Vol. I. p. 191. 



This species visits the Fur Countries in summer, advancing as far 

 north as Great Bear Lake, and, according to Dr Richardson, resorting 

 in greatest numbers to the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it fre- 

 quents open downs, and feeds on larvae. Dr Townsend has traced it 

 high on the upper Missouri, but saw none near the Columbia, where it 

 is represented by the Red-shafted Woodpecker, which is there as abun- 

 dant as the present species is in our Eastern Districts. I have met 

 with it from Texas to the northern extremity of Nova Scotia, but saw 

 none in Labrador. The eggs measure an inch and a twelfth in length, 

 by nearly seven-eighths in breadth. Mr T. MacCclloch has favoured 

 me with the following notice respecting this species. 



" While rambling through the woods one afternoon with my bro- 

 thers, I observed a considerable quantity of chips, which seemed, 

 from the freshness of their colour, to have been but recently de- 

 tached from the tall decayed stump, at the foot of which they were laid. 

 A glance at a round hole near the top of the stump was sufficient to 

 apprize us of their origin, and a few smart raps upon the trunk brought 

 a Golden-winged Woodpecker to the aperture, to ascertain the cause of 

 the disturbance below. Having eyed us for a moment, he jerked him- 

 self out, and flew to the top of a neighbouring tree, where, uttering a 

 few shrill notes, he was immediately joined by his mate, and both seemed 

 anxiously to watch all our movements while we remained near the cradle 

 of their future progeny. By us the possession of one of these beautiful 

 birds had long been ardently desired, and we determined not to permit 

 the present opportunity to pass unimproved. The situation of the nest 

 was therefore carefully marked, and we resolved to return when the 

 young birds should be fully fledged, and secure one at least as our law- 

 ful prize. During the interval the nest was often visited, and many 

 plans were formed to efifect our purpose, but when the period which we 

 supposed necessary had expired, we discovered with no little mortifica- 

 tion that the stump was too much decayed to be climbed with safety, and 



