86 Sketches of Some Cornvion Birds. 



ping was a rhythmic roll, produced only for the sake of 

 the sound, and corresponding to the drumniing of the 

 partridge in the springtime as a signal to any lovelorn 

 female that might chance to be within hearing. 



Have you never thought that there are some gifted in- 

 strumental musicians among the birds? It is evident 

 that this regular drumming of the woodpeckers is not 

 practiced in the course of their ordinary work in procur- 

 ing food, for in the latter case their strokes are generally 

 given more slowly and with more labored motion, accom- 

 panied by frequent search for results. Their drumming, 

 on the other hand, has all the elements which distinguish 

 music from noise ; and from the glances of the performers 

 to right or left, and the expectant air with which they look 

 and listen during the interludes, we infer that they desire 

 reply of similar character, or applause from the listener 

 below. And frequently they merit applause in their 

 skillful renditions, for they beat the long roll with the 

 ease and effect of trained army drummers, and their fine 

 sense of expression is impressed upon us by their varia- 

 tion of touch and mastery of technique. I knew a red- 

 headed woodpecker who recognized the acoustic proper- 

 ties of the tin water-pipe descending from the roof of a 

 large school building, and in the spring and early summer 

 his long, rattling roll would resound w^ith wonderful 

 effect. Frequently the drowsy deacons of rural churches 

 are startled from their dozing by the vibrant rattle of tlie 

 woodpeckers drumming upon the resonant corner of the 

 wooden cornice or upon the low, box-like belfry; for the 

 red-heads have apparently learned that the quiet stillness 

 of the Sabbath morning enhances the effect of their per- 

 formances. Any objects which act as sounding-boards 

 may be selected by these virtuosos, and after a particular 

 instrument is found to their satisfaction, they practice 

 upon it in preference to others in the vicinity. 



At times the silent movements of the red-headed wood- 

 peckers in their operations about the orchard and else- 

 where are also curiously at variance with their noisy 

 behavior on other occasions. Sometimes the orchard 

 seems to be deserted by them, when they are clinging 

 meditatively behind some approved shelter, striking into 



