THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 285 



described and figured as forming distinct species themselves. I have shot 

 dozens of young Woodpeckers in this peculiar state of plumage, which, on 

 being shewn to other persons, were thought by them to be of different 

 species from what the birds actually were. This occurrence is the more 

 worthy of notice, as it is exhibited on all the species of this genus on the 

 heads of which, when in full plumage, a very narrow line exists. 



Racoons and Black-snakes are dangerous enemies to this bird. The 

 former frequently put one of their fore legs into the hole where it has nestled 

 or retired to rest, and if the hole be not too deep, draw out the eggs and 

 suck them, and frequently by the same means secure the bird itself. The 

 Black-snake contents itself with the eggs or young. Several species of 

 Hawks attack them on the wing, and as the Woodpeckers generally escape 

 by making for a hole in the nearest tree, it is pleasing to see the disappoint- 

 ment of the Hawk, when, as it has just been on the point of seizing the 

 terrified bird, the latter dives, as it were, into the hole. Should the Wood- 

 pecker not know of a hole near enough to afford it security, it alights on a 

 trunk, and moves round it with such celerity as frequently to enable it to 

 elude its pursuer. 



Their flesh is esteemed good by many of the sportsmen of the Middle 

 Districts, and is frequently eaten. Some are now and then exposed in the 

 markets of New York and Philadelphia; but I look upon the flesh as very 

 disagreeable, it having a strong flavour of ants. 



The neck of this species is larger than that of any other with which I am 

 acquainted, and consequently the skin of this bird is more easily pulled 

 over the head, which it is difficult to do in the other species, on account of 

 the slenderness of their neck, and the great size of the head. 



This species visits the Fur Countries in summer, advancing as far north as 

 Great Bear Lake, and, according to Dr. Richardson, resorting in the 

 greatest numbers to the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it frequents open 

 downs, and feeds on larvae. Mr. Townsend has traced it high on the upper 

 Missouri, but saw none near the Columbia, where it is represented by the 

 Red-shafted Woodpecker, which is there as abundant as the present species 

 is in our Eastern Districts. I have met with it from Texas to the northern 

 extremity of Nova Scotia, but saw none in Labrador. The eggs measure an 

 inch and a twelfth in length, by nearly seven-eighths in breadth. Mr. T. 

 MacCulloch has favoured me with the following notice respecting this 

 species. 



"While rambling through the woods one afternoon with my brothers, I 

 observed a considerable quantity of chips, which seemed, from the freshness 

 of their colour, to have been but recently detached from the tall decayed 

 stump, at the foot of which they were laid. A glance at a round hole near 

 the top of the stump was sufficient to apprize us of their origin, and a few 



