WOODPECKERS 



(402) Sphyrapicus varius 



VariuS (Linn.) (Gr., a hammer, 

 Lat., a woodpecker; variegated), 



YELLOW-BELLIED SAP- 

 SUCKER. Tongue only slightly ex- 

 tensile; the tip brushy instead of 

 sharply pointed. Ad. cf — Plumage 

 shown by bird in the foreground. 

 Ad. 9 — Like the male, e.xcept that 

 the throat is white instead of crim- 

 son, as shown by the lower bird. 

 Im. — Shown by the bird in the 

 background. No crimson or strong 

 black markings on the head, which 

 is whitish, more or less streaked 

 and mottled with dusky; the body 

 markings are duller and less conspic- 

 uous than those of the adults. L., 

 8.50; W., 5.00; T., 3.25. 



Range — Breeds from Quebec and 

 Keewatin south to Mass. and Ind. 



YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS are quite often 

 known by the names of "Whining"' or "Squealing" Wood- 

 peckers, because of the peculiar nature of the note that they 

 so frequently utter. They are quite local in distribution, 

 being considered as abundant in some places only a few miles 

 distant from others in which they are rare. They are true 

 sapsuckers structurally as well as habitually. The tongue 

 is only little extensible, and the tip, instead of being horny 

 and barbed as in the preceding species, is soft and brushy — 

 designed for the purpose of lapping up sap. They girdle 

 trees with rows of holes similar to those made with a gimlet 

 and then later gather the sap that exudes from them; they 

 also eat the tender inner bark, a practice that if continued 

 soon saps the life of and destroys most trees. In this w-ay 

 they do some damage to apple trees and to mountain-ash 

 trees, the sap of both of which they are very fond. They 

 also feed less extensively upon birch, elm, oak, and maple. 



These birds are not, however, wholly injurious; indeed, it 

 is a question if the good work they accomplish by what 



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