85
Concord, Mass.
1913.
Aug. 26
to
Nov. 13
(No 36)

91. Sphyrapicus varius. - Seemingly of more frequent occurrence
than usual but this may have been because I spent
the entire autumn at the Farm which is evidently
a favorite stopping place for migratory Sapsuckers.
I noted the first, a juv. [juvenile] [female], in the oak grove behind
the barn on September 26 [September 26, 1913].

Sapsuckers digging wells in trunks of apple trees

 On the 27th [September 27, 1913] a young [male]
spent most of the day in a large apple tree at the
rear of the house, digging "wells" in its trunk about 
ten feet above the ground where there were several
perfectly fresh ones extending half around the tree
and similar in every respect to the countless old 
ones with which it was elsewhere encircled
and which were of the ordinary type commonly 
attributed to the Downy Woodpecker. That the 
Sapsucker made at least one of fresh holes is open
to no doubt for he did it before my eyes. I failed
to see that he got either sap or cambium layer from it.
There was a young [male] in elms & apple trees along our
lane on September 30 [September 30, 1913] and a similar looking bird
in the large elm just to the west of the house
on October 4 [October 4, 1913]. On the 5th [October 5, 1913] two young Sapsuckers,
[male] & [female], appeared in a small apple tree in front
of the house. The [male] remained there only a few
minutes, the [female] during most of the day, digging
a dozen or more "wells" three of which I saw 
her make, spending about two minutes at work
on each. On the following day (6th [October 6, 1913]) she was in
a neighboring tree & again working "wells" while
another Sapsucker flew past as I was watching her.
On the 7th [October 7, 1913] I saw her again in the same tree. On
the 9th [October 9, 1913] 11th [October 11, 1913] & 12th [October 12, 1913] the snarling jay-like cry was