_Sphyrapicus varius varius. Case 3, Fig. 26, Case 5, Fig. 30_
The female has the throat white, and rarely, crown
wholly black. Young birds have the throat whitish,
crown dull black, breast brownish. The black
breast-patch and red forehead, and red or white
throat are distinguishing characters. L. 8-1/2.
_Range._ Nests from northern New England and
Minnesota (in Alleghanies from North Carolina) to
Canada; winters from Pennsylvania (rarely)
southward to the Gulf States.
Washington, common T.V., Mch.-May; Sept. and Oct.,
Occasional in winter. Ossining, common T.V., Apl.
5-May 13; Sept. 18-Oct. 23; casual in winter.
Cambridge, not uncommon T.V., Apl. and Sept.
15-Nov. 1; occasional W.V. N. Ohio, common T.V.,
Apl. 1-May 20; Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn,
common T.V., Mch. 31-May 12; Sept. 14-Oct. 13. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Mch. 25-Oct. 19.
This is the mysterious maker of the rows of little holes drilled in even
lines, like hieroglyphics, on the trunks of apple and other trees. Using
his brush-tipped tongue as a swab, he drinks the sap that oozes from
these punctures.
As a migrant the Yellow-belly is not conspicuous. His business takes him
into the heart of living trees and he is usually seen only when flying
from one to another. His low 'snarling' note attracts the attention of
only the observant.
The nest-hole is 25-40 feet up; the 5-7 white eggs are laid in May.