YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. 
402. Sphyrapicus varius. 8% inches. 
This is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; 
they may be identified easily by the red crown and throat 
(female having white on the throat), each bordered by black, 
forming a wide breast band, with a band of white, black and 
white back of it. The under parts yellow. This species and 
the two following are the only real sapsuckers, a crime that 
is often attributed to the most useful of the family. While 
they without doubt will take some of the sap from trees, 
their food consists more of insect life, ants in particular. 
Nest. —Is placed in a cavity of decayed trees. Four to 
seven glossy white eggs (.85 x.60). 
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. 
403. Sphyrapicus ruber. 8% inches. 
A Pacific coast bird from Lower California to Oregon. The 
entire head, neck and breast of this species is red, of varying 
shades in different individuals, from carmine to nearly a scar¬ 
let. The remainder of their plumage is similar to the above. 
Nesting habits the same. 
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