The Bird Book Part 52

Similar to Gairdner Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, but smaller and whiter.

395. RED-c.o.c.kADED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates borealis._

Range.--Southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Arkansas, southward.

This black and white species may be known from any other because of the uniform black crown and nape, the male having a small dot of red on either side of the crown, back of the eye. They are quite abundant in the Gulf States and Florida, where they nest during April and May, and in some localities in March. They build in hollow trees or stumps at an elevation from the ground, laying from three to six glossy white eggs; size .95 .70.

[Ill.u.s.tration 253: white, glossy.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Southern Downy.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

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396. TEXAS WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates scalaris bairdi._

Range.--Southwestern United States from southern Colorado south to northern Mexico. This species is brownish white below, has the back barred with black and white, and the male has the whole crown red, shading into mixed black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits and nesting are just the same as those of the Downy, but the three or four white eggs, that they lay in April, are larger; size .80 .65.

396a. SAN LUCAS WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates scalaris lucasa.n.u.s._

Range.--Lower California, north to the Colorado Desert, California.

Very similar to the last; less barring on the outer tail feathers. Eggs the same.

397. NUTTALL'S WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates nuttalli._

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California.

Similar to the Texan Woodp.e.c.k.e.r but whiter below, with whitish nasal tufts, and the fore part of the crown black and white striped, the red being confined to the nape region. They nest in holes in trees, either in dead stumps or in growing trees, and at any height above ground.

During April or May they deposit their white glossy eggs upon the bottom of the cavity. The eggs measure .85 .65.

398. ARIZONA WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates arizonae._

Range.--Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in Arizona and New Mexico.

This species is entirely different from any others of our Woodp.e.c.k.e.rs, being uniform brownish above, and soiled whitish below, spotted with black. The male bird has a red crescent on the nape. They are said to be fairly abundant in some sections of southern Arizona. Their nesting habits do not vary from those of the other Woodp.e.c.k.e.rs found in the same regions, and they show no especial preference for any particular kind of a tree in which to lay their eggs. The nesting season appears to be at its height in April. The pure white eggs average in size about .85 .60.

[Ill.u.s.tration 254: Red-c.o.c.kaded Woodp.e.c.k.e.r. Texas Woodp.e.c.k.e.r.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 398--399.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: left hand margin.]

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399. WHITE-HEADED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Xenopicus albolarvatus._

Range.--Western United States from southern California to southern British Columbia.

This odd species is wholly a dull black color, except for the white head and neck, and basal half of the primaries. They are quite abundant in some localities, particularly in California on mountain ranges. They nest at any height, but the greater number have been found under twenty feet from the ground and in old pine stubs. They lay from four to six glossy white eggs, measuring .95 .70. They are said to be more silent than others of the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r family, and rarely make the familiar tapping and never drum. It is claimed that they get at their food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of by boring.

400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Picoides arcticus._

As implied by their name, members of this genus have but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 .70.

Range.--Northern parts of the United States, north to the Arctic regions.

401. THREE-TOED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Picoides america.n.u.s america.n.u.s._

Range.--From northern United States northward.

The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in nearly all other portions of their range.

[Ill.u.s.tration 255: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Three-toed Woodp.e.c.k.e.r. Arctic Three-toed Woodp.e.c.k.e.r.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: right hand margin.]

Page 254

401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Picoides america.n.u.s fasciatus._

Range.--Alaska, south to British Columbia and Was.h.i.+ngton.

Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the arcticus.

401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Picoides america.n.u.s dorsalis._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.

Slightly larger than the preceding and with more white on the back, almost entirely losing the barred effect of the American Three-toed variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species. Size .95 .70.

402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus varius varius._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Ma.s.sachusetts northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward.

This species is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they can easily be recognized by the red crown and throat (white on the female), each bordered by black, and the yellowish underparts. The members of this genus have been found to be the only ones that are really injurious, and these only to a slight extent, to cultivated trees. This species and the two following are the only real "sapsuckers," a crime that is often attributed to the most useful of the family. Their nesting season is during May and June, they then resorting to the interior of the woods, where they deposit their four to seven glossy eggs on the bottom of holes in trees, generally at quite an elevation from the ground. Size of eggs .85 .60.

402a. Red-naped Sapsucker. _Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis._