128 Audubon s Western Journal 



July 2'/th. We parted today with Joseph 

 Stevenson, one of our blacksmiths, to my great 

 regret. He returned to Jesus Maria where he is 

 going into partnership with a Mr. Williams, a 

 carpenter, and will no doubt make a good living 

 for he is a very excellent workman. I passed today 

 a large pirie tree with the most curious display of 

 the sagacity, instinct, or whatever it may be called, 

 of some insectivorous bird, I think a red-headed 

 woodpecker; for I saw one a few minutes after- 

 wards, and he may be the workman. The bark 

 of the tree was perforated with holes just large 

 enough in diameter to hold the small acorn of this 

 country, say half an inch, and about as deep ; the 

 holes were from a quarter of an inch to an inch 

 and a half apart; the acorns seemed all to be put 

 in butt end foremost, I suppose because the cone 

 end would turn the rain better. Should instinct 

 tell all this to the beautiful bird who lays up his 

 store in this manner so that he may go in the winter 

 to eat the grub that is sure to be in every acorn, 

 how wonderful are the provisions of Nature for 

 her children. 



This high ridge gives a complete change of 

 birds; Steller's jay, so common a few days' journey 

 from here, is rare — indeed, I have only seen one; 

 the Ultramarine takes its place, and I hope in a 

 few days to see the Columbian; a few ravens are 

 to be seen, and one hawk, like our red-tailed, but 



