YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. 
Sphyrapicus varius. 
Char. Above, black and white, back tinged with yellow; crown and 
chin scarlet, bordered by black ; cheeks black, bordered by white or pale 
yellow; breast black ; belly pale yellow. In females the scarlet on chin 
is replaced by white. Length 814 inches. 
Nest. In woodland ; a cavity in a dead trunk of large tree ; sometimes 
excavated in a live tree. 
Eggs. 4-7 ; white ; 0.85 X 0.60. 
This species, according to the season, extends over the 
whole American continent, from the 53d degree to the tropics, 
where it is seen in Cayenne. With us it is most common 
in summer in the Northern and Middle States, and as far 
north as Nova Scotia. At this season it is seldom seen beyond 
the precincts of the forest, in which it selects the most solitary 
recesses, leaving its favorite haunts only at the approach of 
winter, and seeking, from necessity or caprice, at this roving 
season the boundaries of the orchard. The habits of this bird 
are but little different from those of the Hairy and Downy 
Woodpeckers, with which it is often associated in their fora- 
ging excursions. The nest, as usual, is made in the body of 
some decayed orchard or forest tree, the circular entrance to 
