The Bird Book Part 51

[Ill.u.s.tration 251: Texas Kingfisher.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ivory-billed Woodp.e.c.k.e.r.]

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

Page 250

393. HAIRY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates villosus villosus._

Range.--United States east of the Plains and from North Carolina to Canada.

The Hairy Woodp.e.c.k.e.r 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 Woodp.e.c.k.e.r. 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 Woodp.e.c.k.e.rs by their larger size (9 inches long), and the white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted.

393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates villosus leucomelas._

Range.--North America, north of the United States.

Slightly larger than the preceding.

393b. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates villosus auduboni._

Range.--Southern United States; north to South Carolina.

Similar to the Hairy Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, but smaller.

393c. HARRIS'S WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _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 WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates villosus hyloscopus._

Range.--Southern California, east to Arizona and south into Mexico. Like the preceding but whiter below.

393e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _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 WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates villosus picoideus._

Range.--Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.

Like Harris Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, but with the flanks streaked and the middle of the back spotted with blackish.

[Ill.u.s.tration 252: Hairy Woodp.e.c.k.e.r.]

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

[Ill.u.s.tration: 393c--394a.]

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

Page 251

394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates p.u.b.escens p.u.b.escens._

Range.--Gulf and South Atlantic States; north to South Carolina.

This species, which is the smallest of the North American Woodp.e.c.k.e.r (length 6 inches), is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, 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 Woodp.e.c.k.e.rs, and also a.s.sociate 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 WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. Dryobates p.u.b.escens 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 Woodp.e.c.k.e.r from the Hairy.

394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates p.u.b.escens h.o.m.orus._

Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

Like the last but whiter below.

394c. DOWNY WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates p.u.b.escens media.n.u.s._

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 WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates p.u.b.escens nelsoni._

Range.--Alaska.

Similar to the northern variety but still larger.

394e. WILLOW WOODp.e.c.k.e.r. _Dryobates p.u.b.escens turati._

Range.--California except the northern parts and the ranges of the south.