Jan., 1915 
BIRDS OF THE BOSTON MOUNTAINS, ARKANSAS 
45 
successive days, hunting np and down the rows with regularity and searching 
the ears for the corn-maggot, so destructive at that time. 
Sphyrapicus varius varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Arrived about 
the last week in October, and during the balance of the year was fairly com- 
mon. They consumed quantities of dogwood ( Cynoxylon floridus) berries in 
that period. Immature birds were found to outnumber the adults ten to one. 
Some of the call notes of the sapsucker much resemble those of various hawks. 
Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus. Pileated Woodpecker. A characteristic 
bird of the region. Fairly common resident, except during the winter months 
when the majority seek lower altitudes. As few of the clearings in these 
mountains were of large extent, and heavy timber nearly always at hand, the 
birds were frequently seen to venture out into a field to feed upon ants and 
other insects harbored in decaying stumps. Normally rather difficult of ap- 
proach, I have at times been within a few dozen feet of them. On one occa- 
sion firing several times into a tree to secure some small birds, I was surprised 
a little later to find that a Pileated had been clinging to the trunk during the 
entire bombardment. Examples sent to the Biological survey proved that the 
southern form extends into the hill country. 
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Red-headed Woodpecker. This bird does 
not seem to breed in the higher parts of the range ; indeed it was present all 
told, not over two months in the year. About the last week in April small 
numbers were observed, mostly in flight Again about the first of September 
it arrived, and was abundant for a month or six weeks, during which period 
it kept largely to oak woodland, feeding much on acorns and chinquapins. At 
least 80 percent of the birds seen during the autumn sojourn were immatures. 
Centurus carolinus. Red-bellied Woodpecker. A resident, uncommon in 
the spring and early summer; fairly numerous during the balance of the year. 
Birds of the year, beginning to acquire the red nuchal feathers, were noted 
July 25. 
Colaptes auratus luteus. Northern Flicker. Another species, normally 
within its breeding range, that was not seen during the spring and early sum- 
mer. In the fall it appeared suddenly in flocks after the middle of September ; 
and during the following two months great numbers ranged through the wood- 
lands. Most of their number withdrew in December. The few that wintered 
kept closely to the deeper ravines, where they were assured of a plentiful sup- 
ply of dogwood berries. 
Antrostomus vociferus vociferus. Whippoorwill. Arrived after the mid- 
dle of May (May 21, 1914), and was occasionally heard for a month or so 
thereafter. 
Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. Nighthawk. Much more numerous 
than the preceding. Arrived about April 28, remaining until late into Sep- 
tember. The southward movement, however, was apparent at a much earlier 
date, migrants from the north appearing in large flocks in August, 
Chaetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. The earliest arrivals were recorded 
April 17. It was found to be a common summer visitant, remaining until Octo- 
ber 3, or later. 
Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The arrival of the 
“ruby-throat” and the blossoming of the dwarf buckeye ( Aesculus parviflora ) 
were found to be coincident. For it is upon the flowers of this shrub that the 
ruby-throat finds most of its subsistence for the first two weeks after arrival. 
