WOODPECKERS. 49 
pursuing and gambolling with them round the larger 
limbs and body of the tree for hours together; for 
such are really his habits. Can it be said that ‘ne- 
cessity never grants an interval of sound repose’ to 
that bird, who, while other tribes are exposed to all 
the peltings of the midnight storm, lodges dry and 
secure in a snug chamber of his own constructing; 
or that ‘ the narrow circumference of a tree circum- 
scribes his dull round of life,’ who, as seasons and 
inclination inspire, roams from the frigid to the tor- 
rid zone, feasting on the abundance of various re- 
gions? Or is it a proof that ‘his appetite is never 
softened by delicacy of taste,’ because he so often 
varies his bill of fare, occasionally preferring to an- 
imal food the rich milkiness of young Indian corn, 
and the wholesome and nourishing berries of the 
wild cherry, sour gum, and red cedar! Let the 
reader turn to the faithful representation of him giv- 
en in our figure, and say whether his lovks be ‘ sad 
and melancholy?’ It is truly ridiculous an) aston- 
ishing that such absurdities should escape the lips or . 
pen of one so able to do justice to the respective 
merits of every species; but Buffon had tov often a 
favourite theory to prop up, that led him insensibly 
astray: and so, forsooth, the whole family of wood- 
peckers must look sad, sour, and be miserable, to 
satisfy the caprice of a whimsical philosopher, who 
takes it into his head that they are, and ought to 
be so.” 
Not contented with the defence of his gould wing- 
ed woodpecker, Wilson returns with reuewed spirit 
to the vindication of the designs of Providence when 
he comes to the history of a much smailer bird of 
the same species, the downy woodpecker (Prcus pu- 
bescens). . * ‘Tine principal characteristics.” he says, 
“of this little bird, are diligence, familiurity, perse- 
verance, id a strength and energy in 1) > head and 
muscles of the neck which are truly #s ishing. 
Mounted on the infected branch of an ol: © sple-tree, 
where insects have ludged their corrodi::g and de 
