GENERAL CONCLUSION. 99 
from this cause in the United States is more than one and a quarter 
million dollars annually. Sapsuckers do not prey upon any especially 
destructive insects and do comparatively little to offset the damage 
they inflict . Hence the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus va 
and its western variety (SpTtyrapicus v. nucJialis). the red-breasted 
sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) and its northern form (Sphyrapicus 
r. notl'ensis) must be included in the class of injurious species, the 
destruction of winch when caught red-handed is justifiable. In cer- 
tain States it may prove desirable to deny these birds the degree of 
protection they now enjoy. We know too little at present to decide 
the status of the Williamson sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus). 
As there are 20 species of woodpeckers in the United States and 
only 2 of them are under indictment, great care should be exercised 
to distinguish the real offenders. When it is necessary to destroy 
sapsuckers, poison should be used because of the small risk to other 
species of birds. 
o 
