A QUARTET OF WOODLAND DRUMMERS 211 



closing numerous chambers and galleries running through 

 the wood. In these here and there were crowded hosts of 

 black ants taking their long winter sleep. Many of the 

 galleries had been opened from the outside by the wood- 

 pecker and robbed of their occupants. Here then was an 

 explanation of his actions. In an old rent on one side from 

 which a small limb had been broken four acorns were 

 found, two of which were perfectly sound. They could not 

 have lodged there in falling from an oak. They must have 

 been carried there, possibly by some little fourfooted 

 animal, but more probably by the redhead himself, as in 

 other places he has been known to do this. Perhaps he 

 had acorns also stowed away in other chinks of the old 

 locust trees, but of this I did not learn. 



The redhead is such a handsome fellow that it is hard to 

 think of his ever doing anything unpleasant; and yet at 

 times he is a very bad bird, probably the worst one of the 

 whole family. It is told of him that he will sometimes go 

 to other birds ' nests and eat their eggs. He is accused not 

 only of being a rogue, but a murderer as well. Downy 's 

 friends, the titmouse and the chickadee, know him well, 

 and it is whispered that they have on more than one occa- 

 sion caught him plundering their nests. There is small 

 wonder then that Downy dislikes the redhead and often 

 disputes with him for the possession of some favorite limb 

 or post. 



