426 THE GAIRDNER WOODPECKER. 



THE liical representati\-e of the widespread Downy type is a jierfect 

 miniature nf ihe more ainnidant Harris Woodpecker, even in flight and 

 voice; and In the same causes must be attributed tlie soihng of a bosom 

 once immaculate. Unhke his greater tluuble. li(jwe\er, Gairdner's Wood- 

 pecker is for the most part confined to deciduous timber, and sliows a great 

 preference for wooded Ijuttoms and the borders of streams. Here his 

 industrious tap, tap and clieery /^iiik notes may be heard not alone from the 

 trunks of trees, but from the smaller liranches. These he traces to the 

 \ery end in a search iov lurking grub or nit. 



The presence of this bird is a benediction in an orchard, for he in- 

 spects every niche and crevice of a fruit tree, and if he finds deep-seated 

 troubles, the holes he drives are as necessary as the physician's lancet. 

 But folks still call them "sapsuckers," and shoot their little benefactors. 

 Such people should be fined, fi^r a first offense ; and the fine remitted only in 

 case thev agree to "read up." For a second offense — W^ell, I believe in 

 cajiital punishment myself. 



The little Downies, strictly resident, as they are, wherex'cr found, are 

 not so hardix' ])ut to it t(_) subsist in winter here as they are north and 

 east. If grubs are scarce there are always edible berries and seeds to fall 

 back on. ^'el Gairdners relish nuts or a bit of suet hung out in winter 

 time: and if the would-be i)atron be not too eager in first advances a very 

 prett\- friendship may be established in the course of a season. 



Also, because of the season's mildness, winter bird troupes are not 

 such an important institution as in the frigid East. But wherever Kinglets, 

 Juncoes, Creepers, W'rens. and Chickadees do associate together for be- 

 nevolent offense and defense, there is Downy in the midst, — and one can 

 hardh- helj) adding (the Master would be the last to forbid it) "and that 

 to bless." 



It is at times difficult to distinguish, in the case of the f^iiik notes and 

 the longer rattling call, between the voices of this bird and tlie Harris, 

 but the notes of the smaller bird are usually much less in volume and 

 strength, and have a rather uKjre nasal quality. All Wood])eckers have 

 also a sort of signal system, or Morse code, consisting i)f sundry tattoos on 

 resonant wood. These calls are used principally, or exclusively, during the 

 mating season, and consist, in the case of the Gairdner, of six or seven 

 taps in regular and moderate succession. The birds have favorite places 

 f(^r the production of these sounds; and it is probable that birds are able 

 to distinguish their calling mates ]>y the timbre of the smitten wood, as 

 well as by some subtle variation of tempo which escapes unfamiliar ears. 



Gairdners place their nests at inconsiderable heights in deciduous trees, 

 and those, if possible, among thick growths on moist ground Both se.xes 

 assist in excavation, as in incubation. Partially decayed wood is selected 



