of a deep shining green above, whitish and downy beneath. The cupule
is hemispherical, with tuberculate scales ; the acorn ovate. It grows
to a great size, forming a fine ornament to our woods, and in open situations
spreads abroad its branches to a great extent. The wood is valuable,
and is much employed in the Western and Southern countries, where,
as well as in some of the Middle Districts, it abounds. It prefers elevated
situations, and generally occurs in dry gravelly soil.
T H E THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
PlCUS TRIDACTYL US, LlNN.
P L A T E C X X X I I . MALE A N D F E M A L E .
THIS curious species of Woodpecker is found in the northern parts of
the State of Massachusetts, and in all portions of Maine that are covered
by forests of tall trees, in which it constantly resides. I saw a few in the
Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, and my friend, the Rev. JOHN
BACHMAN, observed four near the Falls of Niagara, about twelve years
ago, and is of opinion that some may breed in the upper part of the State
of New York.
It is a restlessly active bird, spending its time generally on the topmost
branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself to
pines. Although it cannot be called shy, its habitual restlessness renders
it difficult of approach. Its movements resemble those of the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker,, but it is still more petulant than that bird. Like it,
it will alight, climb along a branch, seek for insects there, and in a very
few moments remove to another part of the same tree, or to another tree
at more or less distance, thus spending the day in rambling over a large
extent of ground. Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species
above mentioned, but are louder and more shrill, like those of some small
quadruped suffering great pain. During the middle hours of the day it
becomes silent, and often retires to some concealed place to rest a while.
In the afternoon of warm days, it very frequently makes sorties after flying
insects, which it seems to secure in the air with as much ease as the
Red-headed Woodpecker. Besides insects, it also feeds on berries and
other small fruits.
Its flight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulated, as.it shifts from one
place to another. Now and then it will fly from a detached tree of a
field to a considerable distance before it alights, emitting at every glide a
loud shrill note. When alighted, the rolling tappings of its bill against
a dead and dried branch are as sonorous as those of the Redhead. I
never saw one on the ground, but I have not unfrequently met with them
searching the decayed wood of a prostrate tree.
The nest of this species is generally bored in the body of a sound tree,
near its first large branches. I observed no particular choice as to the