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 x .67.

405. PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phloeotomus 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 x 1.00.

[Illustration 257: Pileated Woodpecker.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 256

405a. NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phloeotomus 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 fr