74 WINTER NEIGHBORS. 
no gallantry among the birds except at the mating 
season. I have frequently seen the male woodpecker 
drive the female away from the bone upon the tree. 
When she hopped around to the other end and timidly 
nibbled it, he would presently dart spitefully at her. 
She would then take up her position in his rear and 
wait till he had finished his meal. The position of 
the female among the birds is very much the same as 
that of woman among savage tribes. Most of the 
drudgery of life falls upon her, and the leavings of 
the males are often her lot. | 
My bird is a genuine little savage, doubtless, but I 
value him as a neighbor. It is a satisfaction during 
the cold or stormy winter nights to know he is warm 
and cosy there in his retreat. When the day is bad 
and unfit to be abroad in, he is there too. When I 
wish to know if he is at home, I go and rap upon his 
tree, and, if he is not too lazy or indifferent, after 
some delay he shows his head in his round doorway 
about ten feet above, and looks down inquiringly upon 
me — sometimes latterly I think half resentfully, as 
much as to say, “ I would thank you not to disturb me 
so often.” After sundown, he will not put his head 
out any more when I call, but as I step away I can 
get a glimpse of him inside looking cold and reserved. 
He is a late riser, especially if it is a cold or disagree- 
able morning, in this respect being like the barn fowls ; 
it is sometimes near nine o’clock before I see him 
leave his tree. On the other hand, he comes home 
early, being in if the day is unpleasant by four P. M. 
He lives all alone; in this respect I do not commend 
his example. Where his mate is I should like to 
know. 
I have discovered several other woodpeckers in ad: 
VA le Rte ne oe - 
Pe A TE 
