Range. - Gulf and South Atlantic States; north to South Carolina.

This species, which is the smallest of the North American Woodpecker (length 6 inches). is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker, but has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like the last species, it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North America, the nesting habits of all the varieties being the same and the eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in trees, very often in orchards or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and also associate with other birds very freely. The three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom of the cavity, with no lining. The height of the nesting season is during May or June. The white glossy eggs are .75 x .60.

393c - 394a white, glossy.

Southern Downy.

394a. Gairdner's Woodpecker. Dryobates. Pubescens Gairdneri

Range. - Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia. This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing coverts and is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris Woodpecker from the Hairy.

394b. Batchelder's Woodpecker. Dryobates Pubescens Homorus

Range. - Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Like the last but whiter below.

394c. Downy Woodpecker. Dryobates Pubescens Medianus

Range. - North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina. Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter.

394d. Nelson's Downy Woodpecker. Dryobates Pubescens Nelsoni

Range. - Alaska.

Similar to the northern variety but still larger.

394e. Willow Woodpecker. Dryobates Pubescens Turati

Range. - California except the northern parts and the ranges of the south. Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter.