126 BIEDS 



for one hour and a half, but the birds had seen me enter 

 and refused to come to the nest. 



Leaving my position I motioned for my assistant to 

 come back. He walked with me to the blind ; I entered 

 and he took his departure. The birds, thinking all was 

 well, returned within twelve minutes and I secured the 

 second picture — birds count only one! I then removed 

 the three young birds, photographed them, and returned 

 them to the nest. (Fig. 60.) 



These young birds were about the size of a frying 

 chicken, and were covered with pin-feathers. Their 

 grizzly pileum was a deep, poppy red. Even in these 

 youngsters the female was distinguishable by the fore- 

 head and part of the crown of grayish-brown. 



''A woodpecker pecks 

 A great many specks 



Of sawdust, while building a hut. 

 He works like a nigger 

 To make the hole bigger; 



He's sore if his cutter don't cut. 



He has no use for plans 

 Of cheap artisans. 



But there 's one thing can rightly be said : 

 The whole excavation 

 Has this explanation, 



He builds it by using his head. ' ' 



— F. L. Rice. 



