This odd species is wholly a dull black color, except for the white head and neck, and basal half of the primaries. They are quite abundant in some localities, particularly in California on mountain ranges. They nest at any height, but the greater number have been found under twenty feet from the ground and in old pine stubs. They lay from four to six glossy white eggs, measuring .95 × .70. They are said to be more silent than others of the Woodpecker family, and rarely make the familiar tapping and never drum. It is claimed that they get at their food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of by boring. 400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides arcticus._ As implied by their name, members of this genus have but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 × .70. Range.--Northern parts of the United States, north to the Arctic regions. 401. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus americanus._ Range.--From northern United States northward. The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in nearly all other portions of their range. [Illustration 255: White.] [Illustration: Three-toed Woodpecker. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.] [Illustration: White.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] Page 254 401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus fasciatus._ Range.--Alaska, south to British Columbia and Washington. Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the arcticus. 401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus dorsalis._ Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico. Slightly larger than the preceding and with more white on the back, almost entirely losing the barred effect of the American Three-toed variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species. Size .95 × .70. 402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus varius varius._ Range.--North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Massachusetts northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward.