om 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 larvae, 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 x .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 x
.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 x .75.

408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. _Asyndesmus lewisi._

Range.--Western United States from the Rocki