1913] 
Cahn: Birds of Waukesha County 
129 
extremely loquacious. Their principal food consists of bluegills 
( Lepomis gibbosus ) , perch ( Perea flavescens ) , and small bass ( Microp - 
terus dolomieu). It is remarkable to note the large size of the fish 
caught, in proportion to the size of the bird; a bluegil] which manage 
to wriggle away from a passing bird measured 14.5 cm. from tip to 
tip. 
Dryobates villosus villosus (Linnaeus). Hairy Woodpecker 
A common resident throughout the county, though never 
abundant. The birds breed in any suitable locality, returning 
year after year to the same hole if left undisturbed. Less com- 
monly found in the summer than in the winter, when the birds 
come around the houses with utter fearlessness. 
Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swainson). Downy Wood- 
pecker 
A very common resident throughout the county. During the 
fall these birds become very tame, and may be attracted in numbers 
by suet or peanuts. Nests usually 6 to 8 feet from the ground . 
Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linnaeus). Yellow-Bellied Sap- 
Sucker 
A common migrant, and occasionally a summer resident . 
Arrives very early in April when it does considerable damage to 
maple trees ( Acer saccharum), and is seldom seen after the second 
week in May until the fall migration early in September. There 
has been a great decrease in the number of these birds during the 
last five years, and breeding records are very few at present. 
Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linnaeus). Red-Headed Wood- 
pecker 
An abundant summer resident, found occasionally the year 
round. Nests in any suitable stump, fence post or telegraph pole, 
irrespective of its situation, and at almost any height from the 
ground. One dead tree had two pairs of birds nesting in it at 
one time during 1912, and in 1913 this number was increased to 
five pairs. 
Colaptes auratus luteus (Bangs). Northern Flicker 
An abundant summer resident throughout the county. Nests 
in any convenient stump or tree. A pair chiseled a hole into a 
