BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICKXITY. 
53 
encouraged to visit orchards, as they are one of its most efficient 
protectors. The nest of this species is similar to that of the last, and 
similarly situated. Both species excavate holes in which to sleep. 
Such holes are made with far less care than those for nests, and no 
effort is made at concealment. I well remember seeing a Downy go 
to bed one chilly October night some years ago. I was one of a 
surveying party at work on a lot of land which had recently been 
cleared of both wood and timber. Just at dusk a woodpecker came 
flying over the lot and alighted on a decayed birch stub. He hitched 
about, pecking half heartedly, evidently disconcerted by our presence. 
However, after several minutes of desultory pecking, he edged round 
to a hole and popped into it without further ceremony. 
Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. 400. 
I have been surprised at the abundance of this woodpecker here. 
During the winter of 1897-98 a local sportsman shot two females, one 
of Vv'hich was brought to me. In the fall of 1899, four others were 
recorded as follows: October 3, a male, brought in by a gunner; 
October 21, a female shot; November 16, a female seen ; Novem- 
ber 20, a male seen. Those killed were taken by gunners who 
had never seen such a bird before, and were brought in for identifica- 
tion. The living were found in the college pines. All were 
found on pines or hemlocks. Almost every collection which I have 
examined contains one or more. In the spring of 1900 I found in the 
college woods two hemlocks, recently dead, from w4iich the outer bark 
had been entirely removed during the preceding winter by these wood- 
peckers. Their work is distinctive, and may be recognized wherever 
found. Arctic Woodpeckers are not usually shy. They may be 
recognized on sight by their color, the back being wholly black. 
Sphyryrapious varius. Yellows-bellied Sapsucker. 402. 
I have seen but three examples of this woodpecker in four years. 
The first, a young bird evidently migrating, was feeding on sour gum 
fruit September 30 ; the second was in oak w^oods May 2 ; the third 
was in an apple orchard October 5 . These dates give a hint as to 
when Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers may be expected, as they are only 
migrants here, though they undoubtedly breed no farther away than 
the hills of Northwood or Stratibrd. Its food habits differ considerably 
from those of its congeners, inasmuch as it is to quite an extent a 
vegetarian — berries, seeds, and the cambium layer and sap of trees 
being consumed freely. Trees having sweet sap are laid under a 
