How the Woodpecker Knows 



By William J. Long 



How does he know where to dig his hole, 



The woodpecker there on the elm tree bole? 



How does he know what kind of a limb 



To use for a drum, and to burrow in? 



How does he find where the young grubs grow — 



I'd like to know? 



The woodpecker fiew to a maple limb. 

 And drummed a tattoo that was fun for him, 

 "No breakfast here ! It's too hard for that," 

 He said, as down on his tail he sat, 

 "Just listen to this : rrrr rat-tat-tat." 



Away to the pear tree, out of sight, 

 With a cheery call and a jumping flight, 

 He hopped around till he found a stub, 

 "Ah, here's the place to look for grub. 

 'Tis moist and dead — rrrr rub-dub-dub." 



To a branch of the apple, Downy hied. 

 And hung by his toes to the under side, 

 "'Twill be sunny here in this hollow trunk; 

 It's dry and soft, with a heart of punk, 

 Just the place for a nest — rrrr runk-tunk-tunk." 



"I see," said the boy. "Just a tap or two, 

 Then listen as any bright boy might do, 

 You can tell ripe melons, and garden stuff 

 In the very same way — it's easy enough." 



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