General Notes. 
6 3 
28. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. — One bird observed. 
29. Colaptes mexicanus. — Common. The young of this species 
doubtless hatching on June 28, as an old bird was seen carrying out and 
dropping, a hundred or two yards from the nest, the fragment of an egg 
shell at that time. 
30. Buteo borealis. — Hawks apparently of this species occasionally 
observed. 
31. Bonasa umbellus umbelioides. — Not common. Is mostly found 
in the cotton-wood timber of the valleys. 
32. Tetrad obscurus richardsoni. — Not as common here as in some 
other localities of the Belt Mountains. They prefer rough and rocky 
ledges with only a moderate growth of fir to denser forests. Occasion- 
ally one finds them outside of the mountains, but only among the scattered 
clumps of fir growing on the high bluffs of some of the streams. Their 
“ tooting” is a low, muffled sort of cooing, uttered without vigor, or any 
visible effort on the bird’s part, which may be squatting on some rock at 
the time. 
33. Tringoides macularius. — Found on the streams. — R. S. Wil- 
liams, Benton , TV. T. 
Remarks on Some Western Vermont Birds. — The Red-headed 
Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus , Sw.), is a strangely erratic 
species. Mr. C. S. Paine has taken but a single specimen in the eastern 
part of the State, and five years ago it was a very rare species about here 
(Brandon). Now they are nearly as abundant as the common Golden- 
wings. At Orwell, only ten miles to the west, they outnumber the 
Golden-wings, and appear to be on the increase. Dr. C. H. Merriam 
mentions (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. Ill, No. 3, p. 124) their remain- 
ing in Northern New York during some of the severest winters known. 
I have never observed them in this vicinity later than the 2d of October, 
except in one instance (January 7, 1879), when I took a single specimen. 
At Rutland, sixteen miles south of Brandon, Mr. Jenness Richardson in- 
forms me that they are a resident species, being as abundant in winter 
as in summer. They were particularly abundant about here during 
August and September, 1879, being attracted, no doubt, by the great 
abundance of black cherries (Primus serotina) , which they appear to 
relish greatly. I have frequently observed this species to employ the same 
nest for several successive seasons. 
The Pileated Woodpecker (Hylotomuspileatus, Bd.), is by nomeansasrare 
as might be expected in so thickly populated a section. Not a year passes 
but that from one to five specimens are taken. I have notes of at least 
fifteen specimens, taken during the last four or five years, all of which oc- 
curred from the month of September to May, inclusive; the last record 
being the capture of two young females, September 28, 1881. Of the 
remaining Picidce. Sphyrapicus varius is a rather rare summer visitant; 
Picoides arcticus, a very rare winter visitant: while Picus pubescens and 
P. villosus are resident species, the former being by far the most abundant. 
