WOODPECKERS 



309. White-headed Woodpecker. 

 Xenopicus alholarvatus. 



Range. — Western United States from south- 

 ern California to soutliern Britisli Columbia. 



Tills odd species is wliolly a dull black color. 



except for the white liead and neck, and basal 



hall: of the primaries. Tliey 



are quite abundant in some 



,' localities, particularly in 



California on mountain 



ranges. They nest at any 



,;' height, but the greater 



number have been found 



under twenty feet from the 



ground and in old pine 



-V\ri^it(. stubs. They lay from four 



to six glossy white eggs, 



measuring .95 x .70. They are said to be more 



silent than others of the Woodpecker family, 



and rarely make the familiar tapping and never 



drum. It is claimed that they get at their 



food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of 



by boring. 



Thre^-toed Woo/lpecker 

 Arctic Three-toed Woodpee 



ker 



■iOO. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides urcticus. 



As implied by their name, members of this genus have 

 but three toes, two in front and one beliind. The plumage 

 of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, •• 

 with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a ■fM. 

 yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in 

 coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their, 

 range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and 

 trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The 

 eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 x .70. 



White 



-101. Three-toed Woodpecker. 



Picoides americanus umericanus. 



tcD the Arctic regions. 



Range. — Northern parts of the United States north 



Range. — From northern United Stales northward. 



The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the 

 back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. Tlie nesting habits are 

 just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. 

 Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in tlie Adirondacks and in 

 nearly all other portions of their range. 



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