RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 35 



Greenbrier (Smilax glauca). Frost grape ( Vitis cordifolia). 



Cat brier (Smilax rotundifolia) . Woodbine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) . 



Laurel-leaved greenbrier (Smilax lauri- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) . 



folia). • Rough-leaved dogwood (Cornus asperi- 



Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) . folia). 



Sassafras berry (Sassafras sassafras). Sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica). 



Blackberry or raspberry (Rubus sp.). Tupelo gum (Nyssa aquatica). 



Dwarf sumac (Rhus copallina). Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). 



Poison sumac (Rhus vernix). Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginica). 



Poison ivy (Rhus radicans). Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). 



American holly (Ilex opaca). Larger withe-rod ( Viburnum nudum). 



Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine). Black haw ( Viburnum prunifolium). 



Summary. — The food of the pileated woodpecker does not interest 

 the farmer or horticulturist, for it is obtained entirely from the forest 

 or the wild copses on its edge. This bird does not visit either the 

 orchard or the grain field, and all its work in the forest helps to con- 

 serve the timber. Unfortunately the bird is so scarce in many places 

 that it is an object of curiosity, and the man or boy with a gun never 

 lets pass a chance to shoot one, although its flesh is unfit for food. 

 In fall and winter it may often be seen in the market in Washington, 

 and probably in cities farther south. Maj. Bendire relates that once 

 when short of provisions he attempted to eat one, but found it 

 extremely unpalatable. Its killing should be strictly prohibited at all 

 times. 



RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 



( Melanerpcs erythrocephalus.) 



The handsome redhead (PL III) inhabits suitable localities through- 

 out most of southern Canada and the United States east of the 

 Rocky Mountains, but is rare in New England and northeastward. 

 It is a familiar bird on telegraph poles and fence posts and feeds 

 largely on insects found upon these bare surfaces, but the vegetable 

 matter in its stomach shows that it forages elsewhere also. 



Fifty years ago Giraud stated that on Long Island the red-headed 

 woodpecker arrives early in April, and during the spring " subsists 

 chiefly on insects. In summer it frequents fruit trees, ripe cherries 

 and pears seeming to be a favorite repast. In the fall it feeds on 

 berries and acorns, the latter at this season forming a large portion 

 of its food." * 



In its fondness for mast it resembles its relative, the California 

 woodpecker. In the northern part of its range, where the oak is 

 replaced by the beech, the redhead makes the beechnut its principal 

 food. Dr. C. Hart Merriam has given much testimony under this 

 head. 2 He states that in northern New York, where it is one of the 



i Giraud, J. P., Birds of Long Island, p. 180, 1844. 



2 Birds of Connecticut, p. 66, 1877; Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, III, 124, 1878; Mammals of the Adiron- 

 dacks, p. 226, 1884. 



