THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 249 



terminate in the sterno-tracheal at the distance of 2 twelfths from the bifur- 

 cation. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles. The rings of the trachea, 

 which are firm, and but slightly compressed, are about 50 in number; the 

 bronchial half rings about 15. 



According to Mr. Townsend this species is found from the Rocky 

 Mountains to the shores of the Columbia river. 



THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 



-f-Picus pubescens, Linn. 

 PLATE CCLXIIL— Male and Female. 



The Downy Woodpecker, which is best known in all parts of the United 

 States by the name of Sapsucker, is perhaps not surpassed by any of its 

 tribe in hardiness, industry, or vivacity. If you watch its motions while in 

 the woods, the orchard, or the garden, you will find it ever at work. It 

 perforates the bark of trees with uncommon regularity and care; and, in my 

 opinion, greatly assists their growth and health, and renders them also more 

 productive. Few of the farmers, however, agree with me in this respect; 

 but those who have had experience in the growing of fruit-trees, and have 

 attended to the effects produced by the boring of this Woodpecker, will 

 testify to the accuracy of my statement. 



This species is met with, during summer, in the depth of the forest, as 

 well as in the orchard or the garden. In winter it frequently visits the 

 wood-pile of the farmer, close to his house, or resorts to his corn-crib, where, 

 however, it does little damage. I have found it pretty generally distributed 

 from the lower parts of Louisiana to Labrador, and as far to the westward as 

 I have travelled. It seems, in fact, to accommodate itself to circumstances, 

 and to live contented anywhere. 



About the middle of April it begins to form its nest, shewing little care 

 as to the kind of tree it selects for the purpose, although it generally chooses 

 a sound one, sometimes, however, taking one that is partially decayed. The 

 pair work together for several days before the hole is completed, sometimes 

 perhaps a whole week, as they dig it to the depth of a foot or sixteen inches. 

 The direction is sometimes perpendicularly downwards from the commence- 



Vol. IV. 34 



