STATE GEOLOGIST. 
377 
12. Picus pubescens. Linn. Downy Woodpecker. — Common, hi mark¬ 
ing' almost exactly like the last, but only about one’ half the size. 
These two wookpeckers perform a service of incalculable value to man 
by the untiring warfare they wage upon the insects destructive to 
shrub and tree. All winter long they may be seen beside the walk, 
upon the lawn or in the more retired groves of the suburbs indus¬ 
triously at work upon the infected tree; and their very presence proves 
the existence of the insects or their eggs. The name Sapsuker is ap¬ 
plied to these birds, but it is not deserved. They are naturally neither 
sap or bark eaters. The real culprit is the yellow-bellied woodpecker. 
Sphyrapcius (various), a bird that drills large holes entirely through 
the inner layer of bark and thus allows the sap to run out, often in con¬ 
siderable quantities. 1 have seen sugar maple trees tapped in this way 
and the whole lower part of the trunk of the tree saturated with the 
sap that oozed out. The bird is fond of the sap and may be frequently 
seen clinging to the hole of the tree and drinking the liquid that col¬ 
lects in the punctures. The yellow-bellied woodpecker is not a winter 
resident, but is common in the timber at other seasons of the year. 
13. Picoides arcticus (Sw.) Gray. Arctic Woodpecker.—A rather 
common bird in some parts of the State, but only a straggler in the 
vicinity of Minneapolis. It displays a preference for old tamarack 
swamps in more or less heavily timbered country. It may be known 
by the uniform black of the upper parts, a square yellow patch on the 
crown in the male and the fact that it has but three instead of four 
toes. Its congener, the banded woodpecker ( Picoides Americanus) is 
also a three-toed species but the back is banded with white. It 
has not yet been reported from Minnesota, though it probably occurs 
here rarely. 
14. Bubo virginianus (Gm .) Bp. —Great-horned Owl.—T he largest of 
our owls with "horns"—tufts of lengthened feathers on the head. 
Frequently met with in heavy timber. 
15. Scops asio (Linn) Bys. — Screech Owl. — A small horned owl, about 
nine inches in length. Apparently not common- 
16. Nyctale acadica t Gm. ) Bys. —Acadian or Saw-whet Owl.—A 
diminutive bird only about seven and a half inches m length. Not 
common. 
17. Aquila chrysaetus, Linn. —Golden Eagle.— A rare bird and but 
little is known of its occurrence here winter or summer. It is intro¬ 
duced here since it is known to occur in the summer and is usually res¬ 
ident where found. 
' 18. HaJiaetus leucocephalus. (Linn) San. White-headed or bald 
Eagle. —Occasionally occurs in the winter. An adult bird seen flying 
over Minneapolis. Jan. 1, 1879. (The two eagles maybe distinguished 
in any plumage by noticing the feathering on the legs; in the golden 
eagle it extends to the base of the toes, while in tin 1 bald eagle the low¬ 
er part of the tarsus or “shank" is bare.) 
19. Tetrao canadensis. Linn. Canada or Spruce Grouse. — Found'iji 
the evergreen woods of the northern and Ventral parts of the State. 
