THE RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 
417 
Dr. Brewer says : “This bird was met with in the overland expedition in flocks, on the 
banks of the Saskatchewan, in May. Its manners at the period of the year were strikingly 
contrasted with those of the resident Woodpeckers, for instead of flitting in a solitary way 
from tree to tree, and assiduously boring for insects, it flew about in crowded flocks in a rest- 
less manner, and kept up a continual chattering.” 
The Hairy Woodpecker {Pious mllosus ) is another of onr resident birds, and is also an 
orchard visitor. In May he retires to breed, and is not seen until the autumn months. Some- 
times, however, he remains and breeds in the orchard. Exceptions of this kind seem to occur 
with other species. This species is common at Hudson’s Bay, and southwards to Georgia. Its 
voice is a shrill cry, strong and tremulous. It also has a single note or cliucJc , which it often 
repeats in an eager manner, as it hops about and performs its usual work of digging into the 
bark of trees. Its plumage is soft, loose, and unwebbed ; hence the name. A great mass of 
hairs surround the nostrils, which suggest their use as a protecting barrier when the head is 
protruded into the decayed wood it so frequently digs into for insect food. 
Lewis’ Woodpecker ( Melanerpes torquatus ) is a singularly marked and elegant bird. 
Its size is considerably more than the preceding, and it has a more compact and pleasing 
THE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER . — Picoides tridaclylus. 
plumage. It was named by Wilson in honor of the memory of Captain Lewis, who with 
General Clark made the first notable excursion into the then unexplored countries of the 
Yellowstone region. This bird is one of several that have the habit of hiding acorns in- the 
holes purposely pecked for them in decayed trees. 
The Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Centurus oarolinus ), says Wilson, has all the restless 
and noisy habits so characteristic of its tribe. It is more shy and less domestic than the Red- 
headed or any of the spotted Woodpeckers. It is also more solitary. It prefers the largest 
high timbered woods, and tallest decayed trees of the forest, seldom appearing near the ground, 
on the fences, or in orchards. Its voice is hoarser than any of the others, and its usual note, 
Vol. II.— 53. 
