570 ZYGODACTYLI. 



son,) about the first of May. According to Audubon, 

 they effect their migration in the night, flying high above 

 the trees in a straggling file, at which time they are heard 

 to emit a sharp and peculiar note, easily heard from the 

 ground, although the birds themselves are elevated 

 beyond the sight. Like the preceding, the present 

 species is but rarely seen in the maritime parts of Mas- 

 sachusetts, this region is only occasionally visited by 

 solitary stragglers ; yet, in the western parts of the state, 

 they are said to be as common as in the middle states. 



They live principally in old forests of tall trees, but 

 are much less shy than most of the genus, frequently 

 visiting the orchards in quest of ripe fruits, particularly 

 cherries, and juicy pears and apples, with which they 

 likewise occasionally feed their young. They also at 

 times, eat acorns, of which they are said to lay up a store, 

 and visit the maize fields, being partial to the corn while 

 in its juicy or milky state. In consequence of these depen- 

 dent habits of subsistence, the Red Headed Woodpecker 

 is a very familiar species, and even sometimes not only 

 nests in the orchard which supplies him with sustenance, 

 but ventures to rear his brood within the boundaries of 

 the most populous towns. In the latter end of summer, 

 their reiterated tappings and cackling screams are fre- 

 quently heard from the shady forests which border the 

 rivulets in more secluded and less fertile tracts. It is 

 also not uncommon to observe them on the fence rails 

 and posts, near the public roads, flitting before the pas- 

 senger with the familiarity of Sparrows. In the Southern 

 States, where the mildness of the climate prevents the 

 necessity of migration, this brilliant bird seems half 

 domestic. The ancient live oak, his cradle and resi- 

 dence, is cherished as a domicil, he creeps around its 

 ponderous weathered arms, views the passing scene with 



