WOODPECKERS 
325 
Remarks. — The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers differ in coloration only 
in the markings of the outer tail-feathers, which are white, barred with black 
in the former, and white without bars in the latter ; the difference in size be- 
tween the two, however, is always diagnostic. 
Range. — Canadian and Transition zones of n. and cen. parts of e. N. A. 
from se. Alberta, Man., and s. Ungava s. to e. Nebr., Kans., and Potomac 
Valley, and in mts. to N. C. ■ 
Washington, common P. R. Ossining, common P. R. Cambridge, com- 
mon P. R. N. Ohio, common P. R. Glen Ellyn, common P. R. SE. Minn., 
common P. R. 
•Nest, generally in a dead tree. Eggs, 4-6, white, ‘75 x ‘60. Date, Naz- 
areth, Pa., May 9; Cambridge, May 22; Mt. Carmel, Ills., May 7. 
Woodland, orchards, and the shade trees of lawns are alike fre- 
quented by this, the smallest and most familiar of our Woodpeckers. 
Sometimes he tells of his presence by an industrious tap , tap — tapping 
as he patiently digs out the grubs and larvae which form his bill-of- 
fare. Again he hails us with a businesslike peek , peek — a note closely 
resembling the sound produced by a marble-quarrier’s chisel, and which 
sometimes is prolonged into a rattling call. Like other Woodpeckers, 
in the spring he beats a rolling tattoo on a resonant limb, sounding a 
reveille which is a credit to so small a drummer. 
The Downy is a sociable Woodpecker, and when the gay summer 
visitors have returned to their southern homes and the wind whistles 
drearily through the leafless trees, he joins the Chickadees and Nut- 
hatches, and during the winter they are inseparable companions. Per- 
haps they share with him the snug quarters in some old trunk which 
he has hollowed out for a winter home. 
395. Dryobates borealis (Vieill.). Red-cockaded Woodpecker. 
Ad. &. — Crown black, a small tuft of scarlet feathers on each side of the hack 
of the head; back barred with black and white; wings spotted with black 
and white; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones with broken black bars; ear 
region white, separated from the white throat by a black stripe running from 
the bill to the shoulder; sides and under tail-coverts spotted and streaked 
with black; rest of the underparts white. Ad. ?. — Similar, but without 
scarlet on the head. L., 8*40; W., 4*65; T., 3T0; B., ‘80. 
Range. — Austroriparian fauna n. to sw. Va., Tenn., and s. Mo., and 
casually to N. J. 
Nest, usually well up in a living pine. Eggs, 2-5, white, ‘91 x ‘68. Date, 
San Mateo, Fla., Apl. 29. 
This species is a common inhabitant of the “piny woods.” It pre- 
fers the higher branches of the trees, and frequently hangs head down- 
ward while feeding at the extremity of a branch. Its call-note suggests 
the yank , yank , of the White-bellied Nuthatch, but is louder, hoarser, 
and not so distinctly enunciated. 
400. Picoides arctieus (Swains.). Arctic Three -toed Wood- 
pecker. . (Fig. 546.) Ad. <?. — Toes three, two in front; middle of the 
crown with a bright orange-yellow patch; rest of the upperparts shining 
black ; wing-feathers spotted with white; middle tail-feathers black, outer 
ones white, except at the base ; a white line from the nostril passes below the 
eye; sides barred with black and white; rest of the underparts white. Ad. 
