THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 417 



Dr. Brewer says : "This bird was met with in (he overland expedition in flocks, on the 

 banks of the Saskatchewan, in May. Its manners at the period of the year were strikingly 

 contrasted with those of the resident Woodpeckers, for instead of flitting in a solitary way 

 from tree to tree, and assiduously boring for insects, it flew about in crowded flocks in a rest- 

 less manner, and kept tip a continual chattering." 



The Hairy Woodpecker [Picas mllosus) is another of our resident birds, and is also an 

 orchard visitor. In May he retires to breed, and is not seen until the autumn months. Some- 

 times, however, he remains and breeds in the orchard. Exceptions of this kind seem to occur 

 with other species. This species is common at Hudson's Bay, and southwards to Georgia. Its 

 voice is a shrill cry, strong and tremulous. It also has a single note or chuck, which it often 

 repeats in an eager manner, as it hops about and performs its usual work of digging into the 

 bark of trees. Its plumage is soft, loose, and unwebbed ; hence the name. A great mass of 

 hairs surround the nostrils, which suggest their use as a protecting barrier when the head is 

 protruded into the decayed wood it so frequently digs into for insect food. 



Lewis' Woodpecker (Melanerpes torquatus) is a singularly marked and elegant bird. 

 Its size is considerably more than the preceding, and it has a more compact and pleasing 



'iHE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.— Pkoiaes tridactylus. 



plumage. It was named by Wilson in honor of the memory of Captain Lewis, who with 

 General Clark made the first notable excursion into the then unexplored countries of the 

 Yellowstone region. This bird is one of several that have the habit of hiding acorns in the 

 holes purposely pecked for them in decayed trees. 



The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus carolinus), says Wilson, has all the restless 

 and noisy habits so characteristic of its tribe. It is more shy and less domestic than the Red- 

 headed or any of the spotted Woodpeckers. It is also more solitary. It prefers the largest 

 high timbered woods, and tallest decayed trees of the forest, seldom appearing near the ground. 

 on the fences, or in orchards. Its voice is hoarser than any of the others, and its usual note. 



Vol. II.— 53. 



