26. Picoides arcticus.—Rather common.
27. Picoides americanus dorsalis.—Two or three specimens noted.
28. Melanerpes erythrocephalus.—One bird observed.
29. Colaptes mexicanus.—Common. The young of this species doubtless hatching on June 28, as an old bird was seen carrying out and dropping, a hundred or two yards from the nest, the fragment of an egg shell at that time.
30. Buteo borealis.—Hawks apparently of this species occasionally observed.
31. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.—Not common. Is mostly found in the cottonwood timber of the valleys.
32. Tetrao obscurus richardsoni.—Not as common here as in some other localities of the Belt Mountains. They prefer rough and rocky ledges with only a moderate growth of fir to denser forests. Occasionally one finds them outside of the mountains, but only among the scattered clumps of fir growing on the high bluffs of some of the streams. Their “tooting” is a low, muffled sort of cooing, uttered without vigor, or any visible effort on the bird’s part, which may be squatting on some rock at the time.
33. Tringoides macularius.—Found on the streams.—R. S. Williams, Benton, W. T.
Remarks on Some Western Vermont Birds.—The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Sw.), is a strangely erratic species. Mr. C. S. Paine has taken but a single specimen in the eastern part of the State, and five years ago it was a very rare species about here (Brandon). Now they are nearly as abundant as the common Golden-wings. At Orwell, only ten miles to the west, they outnumber the Golden-wings, and appear to be on the increase. Dr. C. H. Merriam mentions (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. III, No. 3, p. 124) their remaining in Northern New York during some of the severest winters known. I have never observed them in this vicinity later than the 2d of October, except in one instance (January 7, 1879), when I took a single specimen. At Rutland, sixteen miles south of Brandon, Mr. Jenness Richardson informs me that they are a resident species, being as abundant in winter as in summer. They were particularly abundant about here during August and September, 1879, being attracted, no doubt, by the great abundance of black cherries (Prunus serotina), which they appear to relish greatly. I have frequently observed this species to employ the same nest for several successive seasons.
The Pileated Woodpecker (Hylotomus pileatus, Bd.), is by no means as rare as might be expected in so thickly populated a section. Not a year passes but that from one to five specimens are taken. I have notes of at least fifteen specimens, taken during the last four or five years, all of which occurred from the month of September to May, inclusive; the last record being the capture of two young females, September 28, 1881. Of the remaining Picidæ, Sphyrapicus varius is a rather rare summer visitant; Picoides arcticus, a very rare winter visitant: while Picus pubescens and P. villosus are resident species, the former being by far the most abundant.