210 EXTRACT FROM A LETTER. 



time inexplicable. The large stones which are heaped up 

 at the base of the telegraph poles iu order to increase 

 their solidity sometimes were found removed and dispersed. 

 Finally it was observed that this damage was caused by 

 Bears, which apparently mistoke the mysterious noise in 

 the poles for the buzzing of a swarm of bees. 



In my quality of Inspector of the post- and telegraphic 

 service I inspected thousands of telegraph poles , but only in 

 a few cases I could state the damage caused by Wood-peckers 

 and then always on the living kapok-trees (Eriodendron 

 anfraduosum) which are used here for this purpose. The 

 piece of telegraph pole sent to you is the only example 

 known to me that the Wood-peckers extend their damage 

 to the sound and very hard poles of djatiwood. Besides 

 the above mentioned Wood-pecker we saw from time to 

 time the rare little Picus moluccensis at work among the 

 other ones." 



^otes frora the Leyden Museum, Vol. XII. 



