82 
Hairy woodpecker never as numerous as American three-toed, but 
excellent opportunity here for comparing their call notes and drum roll. 
Call notes similar yet always distinguishable, that of Picoides being more 
musical, yet difference difficult to set down on paper. In the case of drum 
roll Dryobates rattle always much more rapid than that of Picoides. The 
Dryobates “Br-r-r-r-r-r!” still heard in the woods as lata as June 29 when 
all hope of nesting must have long been over. 
Specimens: Six, May 31 to August 12. 
In spite of fact that all but last specimen show considerable abrasion at ends of wing 
quills the wing measurements fall well into large size of leucomelas. Spotting of wing coverts 
slightly reduced under that of typical hxtcomelas and hence shows a slight departure towards 
monticola. 
38. Picoides arcticus (Swainson) Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker 
On June II in a burn half-way up to timber-line, a pair of these wood- 
peckers found rearing a clamorous brood in a burned spruce. Female 
shot before nest suspected. Young already well grown and very noisy. 
Parents also noisy, male keeping up a rapid rattle when perched at very 
nest door, as though he would drown loud chippering of young. His 
excitement remindful of racket made by a red squirrel while delivering his 
worst abuse. 
Male raised his brood and took them away so cleverly that not a trace 
of them later discovered. 
On June 25 nest tree felled and nest measured. Located about 25 
feet from ground in a tree of 15 inches diameter at butt, heart of tree being 
somewhat “pim^y”. Whole nest, and especially nest door, seemed small 
for so large a bird. Entrance not truly round and frame of door wider 
than throat, there being a slight step or slope on which bird could rest 
while entering. Door If inches in diameter; length of excavation 12* 
inches; greatest width 4| inches. Nest pocket widest a little above bottom. 
In it a layer of powdered wood and skin sloughings of young. 
Close at hand in another burned spruce, but at only about 5 feet from 
ground, a similar nest-hole and doubtless same pair had nested here 
previously. 
Specimen: Female, June 11. 
39. Picoides americanus Brehm. American Three-toed Woodpecker 
Commonest woodpecker here and found from river-level to near 
timber-line, though mainly low. Only one specimen seen really high, 
this a male, taken June 14 in last clump of stunted black poplars 
at limit of trees. Though slow rattle of this woodpecker a common sound 
in lower woods, only one nest located, this close to edge of river flat. On 
July 3 a continuous far-sounding “quittering” in woods led to its detection. 
These, also, very noisy young and at approach of a visitor parents always 
joined in noisy clamour. Sometimes, male seen to cling at nest-hole and 
add his voice to that of clamorous young. 
When nest visited July 13 it was vacant. Tree, about 15 inches in 
diameter at butt, had a dead top and nest in this dead portion, about 40 
feet aloft. Dimensions as follows: diameter of door barely 2 inches; depth 
of nest 9^ inches; greatest diameter 3 inches. Barrel of nest quite cylind- 
rical. Young of this nest not found after leaving. 
