147 



The Sapsuckers have departed somewhat from their ancestral wood- 

 pecking habits. Although numerous during migration through southern 

 Canada, they are scarce breeders in the lower Great Lakes region but are 

 common elsewhere. 



Economic Status. This is the only bird of the family that seems to 

 be harmful. The harm is done in quest of sap, by girdling the trunks 

 and branches of orchard and other smooth-barked trees with rows of small 

 squarish pits regularly spaced in horizontal lines penetrating both outer 

 and inner barks to the sap-wood beneath. Several trees may be so tapped 

 and visited in turn as the sap exudes. Though it is primarily the sap 

 which is sought, the insects attracted are also eaten, for though sap is 

 a large item in the Sapsucker's diet, insect food is also necessary. 



Although the damage to trees so girdled is not nearly as great as 

 might be expected, they are sometimes permanently injured and even 

 killed. All are weakened and a lodgment prepared for fungoid growth 

 and insects. Unless severely and repeatedly attacked, however, most 

 survive and completely recover. Even forest growth suffers considerable 

 damage; valuable timber trees are attacked and the consequent burr 

 growths and wood stains in the manufactured lumber, marking the old, 

 healed attacks of the Sapsucker, reduce the marketable value of the lumber 

 products. The whole question of the damage done by Sapsuckers has been 

 exhaustively discussed in a United States Biological Survey Bulletin, No. 

 39, "Woodpeckers in Relation to Trees and Wood Products," by W. L. 

 McAtee. Under the heading of defensive measures against Sapsuckers 

 the author advises a limited use of the gun or the use of poison where 

 the species is doing appreciable harm. If the gun is used care should be 

 taken that only Sapsuckers are killed and it must be remembered that 

 with poison, Hummingbirds and other small birds, especially Warblers, 

 are likely to suffer also. 



Genus — Phlceotomus. Pileated Woodpecker. 



405. Pileated Woodpecker, cock-of-the-wood. fr. — lb pic a huppe ecarlate. 

 Phlceotomus •pileaius. L, 17. Plate XIX B. 



Distinctions. The size of this Woodpecker makes identification easy. It can be 

 confused with no other Canadian Woodpecker. 



Field Marks. Large size, striking red crest, and the white on the outspread wings. 



Distribuiion. Once ranging over all eastern Canada it is now practically con- 

 fined to the wilder parts and the wilderness of the north. 



SUBSPECIES. The Pileated Woodpecker is divided into two subspecies, of which 

 only the Northern Pileated P. p. abieticola occurs in Canada. 



On account of the wanton destruction of this beautiful bird which 

 was once of wide distribution, it is now to be found only in the quiet of the 

 northern woods. The vernacular name "Cock-of-the-wood" has been locally 

 corrupted into "Woodcock," and its use for this species is a source of 

 confusion and misunderstanding. The Pileated Woodpecker is not a 

 legitimate object of sport; it will not "lie to a dog," cannot be hunted 

 by sportsman-like methods, and is too small for use as food, but has great 

 value as a forest preserver. It should, therefore, be rigidly protected 

 for economic as well as sentimental reasons. 



