BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 119 



Woodpecker, Red-bellied (Centurus carolinus) 



Now rare in eastern New York, though it was formerly 

 common there. It is uncommon and local in western New York. 

 This species is pursued and its nests destroyed by the red-headed 

 woodpecker. 9.3-10.5 



Call no. 



Nu WpR Adult Eating Suet from Tree-Trunk. Geneseo. (Febru- 

 ary 1914) Bailey 



Woodpecker, Red-headed (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 



In the western part of the State the red-head is probably the 

 most numerous of the woodpeckers. In the eastern part it is 

 not so common. It is primarily a summer resident, but some- 

 times remains through the winter storing and guarding its food. 

 It frequents slashings and burnt over tracts and may be seen on 

 dead stubs and trees, fence posts and telegraph poles. 9.3-10 



Nu WpS Adult Looking into Nesting Hole in Dead Tree Trunk. 

 Arcade. (1906) R.H.Beebe 



This may be either a male or female, as both are alike. 



Nu WpSl Adult on Tree Trunk, Feeding on Suet. (February 21, 

 1914) Bailey 



Note the chisellike bill, characteristic of all woodpeckers. 



Nu WpS4 Two Young Birds Clinging to Tree Trunk, Side View. 

 Arcade. (1904) R.H.Beebe 



How do the young birds differ from the adults? 



Nu WpS5 Four Young Birds Clinging to Tree Trunk, Back View. 

 (July 1913) Bailey 



The young birds are abl.e to cling to a vertical tree trunk before 

 they are able to fly, and the stronger ones climb up to the nest 

 opening and receive food from the parent. Note how the toes 

 are arranged to hold onto the bark and how the tail is used as 

 a brace. 



