Howell, T.R. 1950 S.v. nuchalis Dry Lake 15mi. N. of Princeton, British Columbia April 29 - 4:30 A.M. - Heard tattooing across the lake - sun not yet into this valley - heavy frost on ground - clear, cold. 5:00 A.M. - tattooing near cabin. 5:15-7:00 A.M. - Walked south almost to Burns Lake, the one next to Dry Lake. Here I heard and saw at least 3 pairs of sapsuckers, all nuchalis They were not very active; the sun had not yet reached this area, and it was very cold. 7:15 A.M. - Back at cabin; I heard tattooing right by the cabin, and 3 birds appeared - yelping, squawking, crests raised, bobbing, hitching around and chasing each other. The pattern seems to be this: one bird starts tattooing, and is answered by one or two others nearby. This goes on for several minutes. Then one flies over to another, and a third may join them. There is a great deal of yelping and squawking, perhaps some tattooing, and bobbing up and down with crests raised. They hitch around branches or the trunk towards each other. Any one may be the apparent aggressor during this. If one leaves to another tree, the other two usually follow. This goes on for a minute or so, and then they separate, find a good resonant limb, and begin tattooing again. I have not yet been able to distinguish a ♀ for sure. No copulation attempts have been seen.