322 
WOODPECKERS 
XV. ORDER PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. 
43 . Family Picid^. Woodpeckers. (Fig. 54 .) 
Woodpeckers occur in all wooded parts of the world, except in the 
Australian region arid Madagascar. Some three hundred and seventy- 
five species are known, of which about one-half are confined to the New 
World. Twenty-four of this number are found in North America. 
Woodpeckers are rather solitary birds, but are sometimes found asso- 
ciated in scattered companies during their migrations. Above all 
other birds they are especially adapted to creep or climb. The peculiar 
structure of the foot, with its two toes directed forward and two back- 
ward (except, in North America, in one genus), assists them in clinging 
to an upright surface, while the pointed, stiffened tail-feathers serve 
as a prop. The stout, chisel-like bill of the more typical species is used 
to cut away wood and expose the hiding-places of grubs, etc.; then the 
long, distensible tongue, with its horny, spearlike tip, is thrust forward 
the food impaled and drawn out. The vocal powers of Woodpeckers 
are supplemented by. the bill which is used to beat the long, rolling call 
forming their love-song. The eggs of Woodpeckers are uniformly white, 
and are placed in a hole, generally in a dead tree or limb, hollowed out 
by the bird. 
1901. Eckstorm, F. H.,.The Woodpeckers (Houghton, Mifflin). 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
I. No red on the head or nape. 
1. Underparts not streaked or spotted. 
A. Entire underparts black. 
a. Wing about 10*00, bill ivory-white. 
392. Ivory-billed Woodpecker 9. 
B. Underparts white, without black spots or streaks. 
a. Wing under 4*00; outer tail-feathers barred with black. 
394. Downy Woodpecker and races $. 
b Wing over 4*00, outer tail-feathers white, without black bars. 
393. Hairy Woodpecker and races $. 
2. Underparts with black spots, bars, or streaks. 
a . Back entirely black . . 400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. 
b. Back black and white. 
6 1 . Outer tail-feathers entirely white, crown yellow or spotted with 
white 401. Am. Three-toed Woodpecker. 
b 2 . Outer tail-feathers barred with black, no black patch on the 
breast, ear-coverts white 
395. Red-cockaded Woodpecker 9. 
6 3 . Outer tail-feathers black, with generally a narrow white margin; 
rump white 406. Red-headed Woodpecker $. 
6 4 . Outer tail-feathers black and white, a large black patch on the 
breast 402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 9. 
II. With red on the head or nape. 
1. Whole top of head red. 
A. Throat red. 
a. Primaries spotted with white, belly yellowish. 
402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker d”. 
b. Primaries black, rump and belly white. 
406. Red-headed Woodpecker <?. 
