148 



Economic Status. The Pileated Woodpecker is now restricted to the 

 wildest sections. It is mainly beneficial in the protection of forest trees 

 and, therefore, its greatest value is to the lumberman. Its food is much 

 the same as that of the other Woodpeckers, but its superior strength enables 

 it to dig deeply and exhume larvae and insects that are safe from a less 

 powerful bird 



Genus — Melanerpes. Woodpeckers. 



406. Red-headed Woodpecker, fb. — le pic a tete bouge. Melanerpes erylh.ro- 

 cephalus. L, 9-75. Plate XX A. 



Distinctions. The bright red head and contrasting broad masses of black and white 

 body-plumage are easily recognized. 



Field Marks. The striking coloration of this species makes it easily recognizable. 



Nesting. Generally in holes in dead stubs and occasionally in telegraph and other 

 such poles. 



Distribution. A bird of rather southern distribution, regularly and commonly enter- 

 ing Canada only on the southern border along the lower Great Lakes. 



The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the familiar species about 

 orchards and wood lots. It is, therefore, well known wherever it occurs. 

 The Red-headed has rather less of Woodpecker habits than the forms 

 hitherto considered, or it has evolved flycatcher-like traits in addition to its 

 ancestral ones. 



Economic Status. The Red-headed eats fewer larvae and grubs than do 

 other species, and more useful, predaceous ground-beetles. However, 

 the balance between good and evil is in its favour, for although it eats 

 some fruit, May beetles or June bugs and weevils form a large part of its 

 food. It has been accused of eating fruit and without doubt the charge 

 has some foundation, but careful study has shown that these cases are 

 local and confined to limited areas and perhaps to certain individuals. 



Genus — Centurus. Red-bellied Woodpeckers. 



409. Red-bellied Woodpecker, pk. — le pic de la Caroline. Centurus 

 carolinus. L, 9-50. Entire back and upperparts sharply and regularly barred with 

 black and white. Whole back of neck to shoulder and, in the male, the top of head, bright 

 red. All remainder and below ashy white with slight olive tinge. Abdomen slightly 

 tinged with red. 



Distinctions. The even barring of the whole back and the red colour on the crown 

 and hindneck are easily distinguished. 



Distribution. From the gulf of Mexico to northern United States, occurring as a 

 straggler in southern Ontario. 



This Woodpecker is of rare and local occurrence in Canada. Its 

 economic status is good, although it is fond of wild fruit and occasionally 

 turns its attention to cultivated varieties. 



Genus — Colaptes . 



412. Flicker, golden-winged woodpecker, highhole. yellow-hammer, fr, — 

 le pic dorIL le pivart. Colaptes aurotus. L, 12. Plate XX B. 



Distinctions. A large Woodpecker with the under-surface of the wings and tail bright 

 yellow. 



Field Marks. General woodpecker-like actions; size; yellow underwing surfaces 

 and white rump conspicuous in flight. 



