Identifier: birdsofnewenglan00insamu (find matches)
Title: The birds of New England and adjacent states : containing descriptions of the birds of New England ... together with a history of their habitats... ; with illustrations of many species of the birds, and accurate figures of their eggs
Year: 1870 (1870s)
Authors: Samuels, Edward A. (Edward Augustus), 1836-1908
Subjects: Birds Birds Birds
Publisher: Boston : Noyes, Holmes and Co.
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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he rump white;iris hazel; bill and feet bluish-black. The female is not different. Length about nine and three-quarters inches; wing, five and a half. This handsome Woodpecker is a not very common summerinhabitant of New England. It makes its appearance fromthe South about the 10th of May. Its habits are similar tothose of the other species; and I recollect nothing of anyimportance that is peculiar to them except, perhaps, tliatthese birds seem to be much fonder of the small fruits thaneither of the others. Wilson says of this fact: — Wherever there is a tree, or trees, of the wild cherry, coveredwith ripe fruit, there you see them busy among the branches; and,in passing orchards, you may easily know where to find the earliest,sweetest apples, by observing those trees on or near which theRed-headed Woodpecker is skulking: for he is so excellent a con-noisseur in fruit, that, wherever an apple or pear is found broachedby him, it is sure to be among the rijiest and best flavored. When
Text Appearing After Image:
li,F.o-HEADED TV ooDi^VvKr.R, Melancrpes erythroeephalus. Swainson. THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 103 alarmed, he seizes a capital one by striking his open bill deep intoit, and bears it off to the woods. When the Indian corn is in itsrich, succulent, milky state, he attacks it with great eagerness,opening a passage through the numerous folds of the husk, andfeeding on it with voracity. The girdled or deadened timber, socommon among corn-fields in the back settlements, are his favoriteretreats, whence he sallies out to make his depredations. He isfond of the ripe berries of the sour gum, and pays pretty regularvisits to the cherry-trees, when loaded with fruit. Towards fall, heoften approaches the barn or farm-house, and raps on the shinglesand weather-boards: he is of a gay and frolicsome disposition; andhalf a dozen of the fraternity are frequently seen diving and vocif-erating around the high, dead limbs of some large tree, pursuingand playing with each other, and amusing the passenge

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