DRUM CALLS. 



This form of instrumental music is a b}- no means insig^- 

 nificant addition to the Flicker's repertoire. It is a musical 

 long roll of vibrant, far reaching effect, sometimes evidently 

 demanding an answer as the bird will assume a listening atti- 

 tude, and at other times preceeding or succeeding a vocal call 

 or song. In the .spring time it is a very popular means of 

 attracting the attention of a mate or .sounding an a.s.sembly. 

 It is .seldom heard after the nesting season has well progressed 

 and ends before the young have hatched. J. N. Baskett states 

 that in drumming the beak is struck directly end-on against 

 the resonant body as shown by an examination of a soft pine 

 box which was frequently u.sed. The box was nailed to a 

 tree and by slipping up and throwing a hat over the bird while 

 it was clattering away, it was finally caught. Either it or 

 another one was drumming again the next day. Chief Simon 

 Pokagon relates a little incident which must not be lost. In 

 his own words : "I asked a class of Indian boys what kind of 

 music they liked best. One .said ' Pe-nay-shen' ( Bird ) mu.sic. 

 I then a.sked each one what kind they liked best of all the 

 birds. One replied ' Aii-pc-tahc' (Robin), another ' Tehin- 

 dces' (Blue Jay), another ' Aii-nawk" (Thra.sher), another 

 ' We-bin-givan-Pe-ney-shen ' (Bluebird), and to the smallest in 

 the class I said ' Oiie-zve-zaynes ' (My boy) ' what one plea.ses 

 you the best ? ' He quickly replied ' O-zaiv-ivan-day Pazv- 

 Paiv-say ' ( Golden-winged Woodpecker ) . I said ' Why so 

 my little boy ? ' He quickly answered ' Oh him am such a 

 me-no (good) Tom-mer Tbw-w*";- (drummer. ) ' Accent almo.st 

 invariably on la.st .syllable." 



