452 
WOODPECKERS. 
quently approaching the cottage or the skirts of the town as 
well as the forest. It is likewise much attached to orchards, 
an active borer of their trunks, and an eager hunter after in- 
sects and larvfe in all kinds of decayed wood, even to stumps 
and the rails of the fences. In autumn it also feeds on berries 
and other fruits. In the month of May, accompanied by his 
mate, the male seeks out the seclusion of the woods, and 
taking possession of a hollow branch, or cutting out a cavity 
anew, he forms his nest in a deep and secure cavern, though 
sometimes a mere stake of the fence answers the purpose. In 
the Southern States these birds have usually two broods in the 
season, and raise them both in the same nest, which is not 
infrequently at no great distance from habitations. Their call 
consists in a shrill and rattling whistle, heard to a consid- 
erable distance. They also give out a single querulous note of 
recognition while perambulating the trunks for food. 
The habitat of true villosus is now considered as restricted to 
the middle portion of the Eastern States. At the North it is 
represented by D. villosus leucouielas, a larger variety (length 
lo to II inches), and at the South by D. villosus audubonii, which 
measures but 8 to 8j4 inches in length. 
DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
DrYOB.4TES pubescens. 
Char. Similar to D. villosus, but smaller. Above, black and white, 
the hack with long, slender, loose hair-like (“ downy ”) feathers ; beneath, 
white ; outer tail-feathers barred. Male with scarlet band at back of 
head, which in the female is black. In immature birds the crown is more 
or less tinged with red, or, sometimes, with yellow. Length b'/z to 7 
inches. 
Nest. In open woodland, pasture, or orchard; a cavity in a dead 
trunk, without lining. 
Eggs. 4-6; white and glossy; 0.80 X 0.60. 
This species, the smallest of American Woodpeckers, agrees 
almost exactly with the P. villosus in its colors and markings. 
It is likewise resident throughout the same countries. About 
