Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs 



ciding for or against some particular tree ; and I believe tiiat if, 

 after having found one that is thoroughly suitable, they imagine 

 themselves observed vi^hile excavating, they will immediately 

 abandon the tree. 



The breeding season begins rather before the middle of May. 



393b. Southern Hairy Woodpecker: D. v. audubonii 



(Swains.) 



A smaller sub-species of the hairy woodpecker found south 

 of North Carolina. Nesting habits and eggs identical. 



394. Southern Downy Woodpecker: Dryobates pube- 



scens (Linn.) 



and 



394c. Downy Woodpecker : Dryobates pubescens medi- 



anus (Swains.) 



Adult 5 — Upper parts black, with a white line down the back ; 

 head black, with a white line above and another below the 

 eye ; back of head deep scarlet ; under parts white. 



Adult ? — No scarlet on the head. Length — 6.83. 



Breeding Range — Southern Downy Woodpecker, Florida to South 

 Carolina. Downy Woodpecker from there northward. 



Eggs in a hole, usually in a partly decayed tree, apple trees 

 being perhaps the favourites, a fresh hole being made each season. 

 4 to 6 white eggs are laid on the bed of very fine chips at the 

 bottom of the hole ; the entrance is very small and usually per- 

 fectly round, about one and a quarter inches in diameter. Size of 

 eggs— .80 X .57. 



The Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest and undoubtedly 

 the tamest of the members of their family found in the Eastern 

 States. In apple orchards they are generally to be found during 

 the summer months, and there it is that they choose their nesting 

 tree, laying their eggs about the first of May. 



395. Red-cockaded Woodpecker: Dryobates borealis 



(VIeill.) 



Adult $, — Upper parts black barred with white ; wings spotted 

 with white ; a scarlet tuft on either side of the head, back of 



lOI 



