274 THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 



thelium is tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish-brown colour. 

 The intestine is llf inches long, its average diameter 3^ twelfths. The 

 rectum, which is 4 twelfths in width, gradually enlarges to the cloaca, which 

 is of an oblong form, with a diameter of half an inch. No cceca. 



The trachea is 2-| inches long, nearly of uniform diameter, only varying 

 from lj twelfths to 1 twelfth, a little flattened, its rings about 60. The 

 bronchi are slender, of moderate length, with about 15 half rings. The 

 lateral muscles, which are moderately strong, terminate on the last ring of 

 the trachea, from which also come off the sterno-tracheal muscles; there are 

 no inferior laryngeal. 



THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 



--HPicus erythrocephaltjs, Linn. 

 PLATE CCLXXI Male, Female, and Young. 



You have now, kind reader, under consideration a species of Woodpecker, 

 the general habits of which are so well known in our United States, that, 

 were I assured of your having traversed the woods of America, I should 

 feel disposed to say little about them. 



The Red-heads (by which name this species is usually designated) may 

 be considered as residents of the United States, inasmuch as many of them 

 remain in the Southern Districts during the whole winter, and breed there 

 in summer. The greater number, however, pass to countries farther south. 

 Their migration takes place under night, is commenced in the middle of 

 September, and continues for a month or six weeks. They then fly very 

 high above the trees, far apart, like a disbanded army, propelling themselves 

 by reiterated flaps of the wings, at the end of each successive curve which 

 they describe in their flight. The note which they emit at this time is 

 different from the usual one, sharp and easily heard from the ground, 

 although the birds may be out of sight. This note is continued, as if it. 

 were necessary for keeping the straggling party in good humour. At dawn 

 of day, the whole alight on the tops of the dead trees about the plantations, 

 and remain in search of food until the approach of sunset, when they again, 

 one after another, mount the air, and continue their journey. 



