Wisconsin Woodpeckers' Convention 



By Mrs. Angle Kumlien Main 



A few Aveeks before this convention was held the following notice appeared 

 in the noted dailies, weeklies, and monthlies ; it was seen in "The Daily Telegraph 

 and Telephone Poles," in "The Dead Limb Weekly," and in "The Old Hollow 

 please? Certainly. You de have a queer tongue. It looks like a barbed spear. 



N. B. A conz'ention of all the zvoodpeckers of WiscofLsin will be held in 

 the "Big Tamarack Swamp" the last day of March. Each species must send a 

 delegate if they wish to be recognised as a woodpecker of Wisconsin. Each 

 delegate will be expected to come by imng. 



The purpose of this convention is to determine just zvho's who in wood- 

 peck erdom of IVisconsin. (Signed) The Bird Student. 



These notices caused a great stir among the woodpecker folk. Each and 

 every woodpecker was anxious to represent his family, but after a great deal 

 of discussion the members were finally chosen and on the morning of the 

 convention all the delegates were in their respective places. 



A great blue Heron who lived in the swamp and who was noted for his 

 letter writing in the sand was asked to act as secretary for this fine assembly. 

 The following is an exact account of the conversation between the Bird Student 

 and the different delegates. 



The Bird Student took the president's chair, which was an old swamp oak 

 stump and began the day's proceedings. 



In anszuering the roll will you please alight on this fallen log while yon 

 anszver my questions. 



Mr. Redhead? Present. You could have attended this meeting had it been 

 held in midwinter, could you not? Yes, your honor. My family have greatly 

 modified their habits during the past twenty-five years. Now a great many of 

 us remain here all winter. We are well satisfied with Wisconsin and dislike to 

 leave even in the cold weather for the south. Do the boys zvith firearms bother 

 your family very much? Yes, a great deal. Our conspicuous markings render 

 us a sure mark for the gunners. That is too bad, for I understand that you are 

 a useful bird. I have heard that you have a very curious tongue. May I see it 

 please? Certainly. You do haz'e a queer tongue. It looks like a barbed spear. 

 It is a great aid in excavating my home and in procuring my food. You are good 

 to look at and are useful, but before I leave you, zvill you tell me zvhether a cer- 

 tain statement is true that I've heard about you? Is it so, then — that you some- 

 times rob other birds nests? Why, I — I never dreamed you would ask me that. 

 I, well yes, I'm ashamed to say I have been guilty, but not very often. Fm 

 sorry to hear it. It is an unexcusable, disgraccfid habit. Seeing that this is your 

 only fault I zvill excuse you for past offenses and hope for a better report. That 

 is all. You may go nozv. Yes, your honor. 



292 



