States than the Yellow-billed variety. The bird is smaller, has a
blackish bill, and the tail is the same color as the back and only
slightly tipped with white. Their nests are built in similar locations
and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the three or four
eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 × .85.
All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until
nearly reached with the hand, when they will slowly flutter off through
the underbrush, and continue to utter their mournful "Kuk-kuk-kuk," many
times repeated.
388.1. KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. _Cuculus canorus telephonus._
An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally
occurring in Alaska.
TROGONS. Family TROGONIDÆ
389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON. _Trogon ambiguus._
Range.--Southern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and in
southern Arizona, in both of which localities they probably breed.
This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds which reaches
our borders. This species is 12 inches in length, and is a metallic
green color on the upper parts and breast, and with coppery reflections
of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white, very finely
vermiculated with black, as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except
for a white band across the breast, are rosy red. This species nest in
cavities in large trees, generally in large, deserted Woodpecker holes.
They are also said to have been found nesting in holes in banks. Their
eggs are three or four in number and are a dull white in color. Size
1.10 × .85.
[Illustration 248: Black-billed Cuckoo.]
[Illustration: Greenish blue.]
[Illustration: Dull White.]
[Illustration: 387a--389.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 247
KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINIDÆ
390. BELTED KINGFISHER. _Ceryle alcyon._
Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern United States,
northward and wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range,
southward.
This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its
rattling notes are among the most familiar of sounds. Their food is
almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from
their perch on an old dead limb overhanging the water, or by hovering in
the air like an Osprey. Their nests are located at the end of burrows in
sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers. These tunnels, which are
dug by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top of
the bank and extend back from six to eight feet, either in a straight
line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitable nesting place, in
which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and pure white
in color. Size 1.35 × 1.05. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts,
June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bird
removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.
390.1. Ringed Kingfisher. _Ceryle torquata._
Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the
underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They
nest in river banks the same as the common American species, and the
eggs are white, but larger. Size 1.45 × 1.10.
[Illustration 249: White.]
[Illustration: Belted Kingfisher.]
[Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 248
[Illustration 250: C. A. Reed.
YOUNG KINGFISHERS.]
Page 249
391. TEXAS KINGFISHER. _Ceryle americana septentrionalis_.
Range.--Southern Texas, south through Mexico.
This variety is much smaller than the Belted, length 8 inches, and is a
lustrous greenish above, variously speckled with white, and is white
below, spotted with greenish. It is a common and resident species in
southern Texas, where it lays its eggs in holes in the banks along
streams. The eggs are white and glossy, and measure .95 × .70.
WOODPECKERS. Order XV. PICI.
Family PICIDAE
Woodpeckers are well known birds having sharp chisel-like bills, sharply
pointed and stiffened tail feathers, and strongly clawed feet with two
toes forward and two back, except in one genus. Their food is insects
and grubs, which they get by boring in trees, and from under the bark,
clinging to the sides of trunks or the under side of branches with their
strong curved nails, aided by the tail, for a prop. They are largely
resident where found.
392. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. _Campephilus principalis._
Range.--Locally distributed, and rare, in Florida, along the Gulf coast
and north casually to South Carolina and Arkansas.
This is the largest of the Woodpeckers found within our borders, being
20 inches in length. But one other American species exceeds it in size,
the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which reaches a length of nearly two
feet; as this species is found within a few miles of our Mexican border,
it may yet be classed as a North American bird. The present species has
a large, heavy, ivory-white bill. They can readily be identified, at a
great distance, from the Pileated Woodpecker by the large amount of
white on the secondaries. They used to be not uncommonly seen in many
sections of the southeast but are now found very locally and only in the
largest and remote woods. They nest in holes in large trees in the most
impenetrable swamps; laying three, and probably as many as six pure
white glossy eggs measuring 1.45 × 1.00.
[Illustration 251: Texas Kingfisher.]
[Illustration: Ivory-billed Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 250
393. HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus villosus._
Range.--United States east of the Plains and from North Carolina to
Canada.
The Hairy Woodpecker or its sub-species is found in all parts of North
America. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub-species are not in
any way different from those of the eastern bird, consequently what is
said in regard to the eastern form will apply equally to all its
varieties.
Except during the winter months, this species is not as commonly seen
about houses or orchards as the Downy Woodpecker. During the summer they
retire to the larger woods to nest, laying their eggs in holes in the
trunks or limbs of trees at any height from the ground, and generally
using the same hole year after year, and often twice or three times
during one season, if the first sets are taken. They lay from three to
six glossy white eggs; size .95 × .70. This species can be distinguished
from the Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size (9 inches long), and the
white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted.
393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus leucomelas._
Range.--North America, north of the United States.
Slightly larger than the preceding.
393b. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus auduboni._
Range.--Southern United States; north to South Carolina.
Similar to the Hairy Woodpecker, but smaller.
393c. HARRIS'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus harrisi._
Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.
Similar to the Hairy but with fewer or no white spots on the wing
coverts, and grayish on the underparts.
393d. CABANIS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus hyloscopus._
Range.--Southern California, east to Arizona and south into Mexico. Like
the preceding but whiter below.
393e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus monticola._
Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.
Similar to _harrisi_ but slightly larger and pure white below.
393f. QUEEN CHARLOTTE WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus picoideus._
Range.--Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.
Like Harris Woodpecker, but with the flanks streaked and the middle of
the back spotted with blackish.
[Illustration 252: Hairy Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: 393c--394a.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 251
394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens pubescens._
Range.--Gulf and South Atlantic States; north to South Carolina.
This species, which is the smallest of the North American Woodpecker
(length 6 inches), is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker, but
has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like
the last species, it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North
America, the nesting habits of all the varieties being the same and the
eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in trees,
very often in orchards or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are
not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and also associate with
other birds very freely. The three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom
of the cavity, with no lining. The height of the nesting season is
during May or June. The white glossy eggs are .75 × .60.
394a. GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens gairdneri.
Range.--Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia.
This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing
coverts and is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris
Woodpecker from the Hairy.
394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens homorus._
Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Like the last but whiter below.
394c. DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens medianus._
Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina.
Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter.
394d. NELSON'S DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens nelsoni._
Range.--Alaska.
Similar to the northern variety but still larger.
394e. WILLOW WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens turati._
Range.--California except the northern parts and the ranges of the
south.
Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter.
395. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. _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.
[Illustration 253: white, glossy.]
[Illustration: Southern Downy.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 252
396. TEXAS WOODPECKER. _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 WOODPECKER. _Dryobates scalaris lucasanus._
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 WOODPECKER. _Dryobates nuttalli._
Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California.
Similar to the Texan Woodpecker 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 WOODPECKER. _Dryobates arizonæ._
Range.--Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in Arizona and New
Mexico.
This species is entirely different from any others of our Woodpeckers,
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 Woodpeckers 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.
[Illustration 254: Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Texas Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: 398--399.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 253
399. WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER. _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 Woodpecker 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 WOODPECKER. _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 WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus americanus._
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.
[Illustration 255: White.]
[Illustration: Three-toed Woodpecker. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 254
401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus fasciatus._
Range.--Alaska, south to British Columbia and Washington.
Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the arcticus.
401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus 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 Massachusetts
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._
Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States and southern Canada
south to Mexico and west to California.
This variety differs from the last, chiefly in addition of a band of
scarlet on the nape in place of the white on the Yellow-bellied species.
Coming as it does, midway between the ranges of the preceding species
and the following, this variety, with its extension of red on the head
and throat, may be regarded somewhat as a connecting link between the
two species, but it is perfectly distinct and does not intergrade with
either. There appears to be no difference in the nesting habits of the
two varieties, except that the present one, according to Bendire, shows
a preference to nesting in live aspens. The eggs measure .90 × .65.
[Illustration 256: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 255
403. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus ruber ruber._
Range.--Pacific Coast from Lower California to Oregon.
Except for a whitish line from the eye to the bill, the entire head,
neck and breast of this species is red, of varying shades in different
individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet; the remainder of their
plumage is very similar to that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This is
an abundant species and in most parts of the range they are not timid.
Like many of the Woodpeckers, they spend a great deal of their time in
drumming on some dead limb. They nest commonly in aspens, preferably
living ones, and are said to build a new nesting hole each year rather
than use the old. The eggs are laid during May or June, being glossy
white, five to seven in number, and measuring .90 × .70.
403a. NORTHERN RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis._
Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska.
404. WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus thyroideus._
This is a deeper and brighter variety, and is more yellowish on the
belly. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the southern
form.
Range.--Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to
British Columbia.
This oddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in
plumage; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and
breast, with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the
belly, bright yellow. The female is entirely different in plumage and
for a long time was supposed to be a distinct species; she is brownish
in place of the black in the male, has no red in the plumage, and is
barred with black and white on the back and wings. They nest at high
altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coniferous forests or in aspens.
There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they lay from four to
seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 × .67.
405. PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phlœotomus pileatus pileatus._
Range.--Southern and South Atlantic States.
This heavily built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-bill,
being 17 inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the
Ivory-bills, their plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and
the white on the wing, being confined to a very small patch at the base
of the primaries; the whole crown and crest are vermillion, as is also a
moustache mark in the male. They breed in the most heavily timbered
districts, and generally at a high elevation; excavating a cavity
sometimes 25 inches in depth and eight inches in diameter. In most
localities they are very shy and difficult to approach. During April or
May they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.30 × 1.00.
[Illustration 257: Pileated Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 256
405a. NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phlœotomus pileatus abieticola._
Range.--Local throughout North America, from the northern parts of the
United States northward.
This variety is only very slightly larger than the preceding, it
otherwise being the same. It is still abundant in many localities, but
its range is rapidly being reduced, on account of cutting away the
forests. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the
southern variety.
406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes erythrocephalus._
Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, except New England; north to
northern Canada; winters in southern United States.
This beautiful species has a bright red head, neck and breast, glossy
blue black back, wings and tail, and white underparts, rump and
secondaries. It is the most abundant of the family in the greater
portion of its range, where it nests in any kind of trees or in
telegraph poles at any height from the ground; they also sometimes nest
in holes under the eaves of buildings. They are the most pugnacious of
the Woodpeckers, and are often seen chasing one another or driving away
some other bird. They are also known to destroy the nests and eggs of
many species, and also to kill and devour the young, they being the only
Woodpecker, so far as known, to have acquired this disreputable habit;
they also feed upon, besides ants and larvæ, many kinds of fruit and
berries. Their nesting season is during May and June, when they lay from
four to eight white eggs, with less gloss than those of the Flicker.
Size 1.00 × .75.
407. ANT-EATING WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus formicivorus._
Range.--Mexican border of the United States, southward.
This species may be identified by the black region around the base of
the bill, the white forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat, and
blackish upper parts, extending in a band across the breast, this
variety having the band streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of
this variety are the same as the next which is most abundant in the
United States.
[Illustration 258: Williamson Sapsucker Northern Pileated Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Red-headed Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 257
407a. CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi._
Range.--California and Oregon.
This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the
black breast band. In suitable localities, this is the most abundant of
Woodpeckers on the Pacific coast. They have none of the bad habits of
the Red-heads, appear to be sociable among their kind, and are not
afraid of mankind. It nests indifferently in all kinds of trees at any
height from the ground, laying from three to seven eggs. Size 1.00 ×
.75. This species has the habit of storing food for future use developed
to a greater extent than any other of the family. They sometimes
completely honeycomb the exterior surface of decayed trees, with holes
designed to hold acorns.
407b. NARROW-FRONTED WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons._
Range.--Southern Lower California.
This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in
having the white band on the forehead narrower. Its nesting habits are
the same, but the eggs average smaller. Size .95 × .75.
408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. _Asyndesmus lewisi._
Range.--Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast;
from British Columbia south to Mexico.
A very oddly colored species, 11 inches in length having a dark red
face, streaked red and white under parts, a gray breast band, and glossy
greenish black upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater part of
their range, can not be called shy birds, and nest in all kinds of trees
at heights varying from six to one hundred feet from the ground, the
five to nine white eggs measuring 1.05 × .80, and being laid during May
or June.
409. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. _Centurus carolinus._
Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States
north in nearly all parts of their range, frequenting the more heavily
timbered regions, where they nest in any place that attracts their
fancy; in some localities they also commonly nest in telegraph poles.
They are quite tame, and during the winter months come about yards and
houses, the same as, and often in company with Downy Woodpeckers. Their
eggs, which are laid during May, are glossy white, average in size 1.00
× .75 and number from four to six.