218 
WOODPECKERS 
your old friend flying with sweeping, powerful strokes straight over 
the forest. You are in no danger of mistaking him, for his wide 
wings and short tail distinguish him from all other birds as far as he 
can be seen. 
He is found high in the mountains mainly after the breeding sea- \ 
son, for he nests in the Transition zone orchard and yellow pine 
country, but like the redhead is an erratic wanderer. At Fort 
Klamath flocks oFTwo hundred~haVe^13eeh~reported coming from 
the north in August, and from Klamath Falls to Susanville Mr. 
Bailey found them the commonest woodpeckers, perching on the tall 
stakes of rail fences along the roads, flying up into the air after 
grasshoppers or other insects in true Melanerpes style. As it is said, 
the ‘ acorn bird ’ never comes in great numbers unless there is a good 
crop of mast, for his movements depend on the food supply. In the 
Black Hills Mr. Cary says the woodpecker is partial to burnt timber 
in canyons. 
Subgenus Centurus. 
Upper parts barred; wings with white patch; outer hind toe shorter 
than outer front toe. 
409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.). Red-bellied Woodpecker. 
Adult male. — Top and back of head and neck bright red ; rest of upper 
parts barred black and white; 
under parts gray except for red¬ 
dish wash on middle of belly. Adult 
female: similar, but red of head 
interrupted by gray crown patch. 
Young : duller, markings ob¬ 
scured, red of head indistinct, that 
of belly often replaced by dull 
buffy. Length : 9.00-10.10, wing 
4.85-5.50, tail 3.50-3.95, bill 1.00- 
1 . 20 . 
Distribution. — Breeds in Lower 
and Upper Sonoran zones of east- 
Fig. 284. 
ern United States, from Ontario 
to Florida, and west to the base of the Rocky Mountains. 
Nest. — In tree trunks or branches, 15 to 60 feet from the ground. 
Eggs : 3 to 5, white. 
Food. — Beetles, ants, weevils, caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, larvae, 
wasps, and other insects, with acorns, nuts, seeds, grain, and berries. 
In parts of Texas the red-bellied is the most common woodpecker, 
and often nests in telegraph poles, but over most of its range it is 
shy and retiring, living preferably in heavily timbered bottom lands 
and swampy woods. 
410. Melanerpes aurifrons ( Wagl.). Golden-fronted Wood¬ 
pecker. 
Adult males. — Forehead yellow , crown red , and nuchal patch yellow , 
