118 BIRDS'-NESTS. 



Other exceptions are the pigeons, hawks, and 

 water-fowls. 



But to return. Having a good chance to note the 

 color and markings of the woodpeckers as they passed 

 in and out at the opening of the nest, I saw that Au- 

 dubon had made a mistake in figuring or describing 

 the female of this species with the red spot upon the 

 head. I have seen a number of pairs of them, and in 

 no instance have I seen the mother bird marked with 

 red. 



The male was in full plumage, and I reluctantly 

 shot him for a specimen. Passing by the place again 

 next day I paused a moment to note how matters 

 stood. I confess it was not without some compunc- 

 tions that I heard the cries of the young birds, and 

 saw the widowed mother, her cares now doubled, 

 hastening to and fro in the solitary woods. She 

 would occasionally pause expectantly on the trunk of 

 a tree, and utter a loud call. 



It usually happens when the male of any species is 

 killed during the breeding season, that the female 

 soon procures another mate. There are, most likely 

 %lways a few unmated birds of both sexes, within 

 ^-iven range, and through these the broken links may 

 be restored. Audubon or Wilson, I forget which, 

 tells of a pair of fish-hawks, or ospreys, that built 

 tl eir nest in an ancient oak. The male was so zeal- 

 ous in the defense of the young that it actually at- 

 tacked with beak and claw a person who attempted 

 4> climb irto his nest, putting his face and eyes ir 



