Downy Woodpecker 191 



DOWNY WOODPECKER 



A hardy little friend is the downy wood- 

 pecker who, like the chickadee, stays by us the 

 year around. Probably no other two birds are 

 so useful in our orchards as these, that keep up 

 a tireless search for the insect robbers of our 

 fruit. Wintry weather can be scarcely too 

 severe for either, for both wear a warm coat of 

 fat under their skins and both have the com- 

 fort of a snug retreat when bitter blasts blow. 



Friend downy is too good a carpenter, you 

 may be sure, to neglect making a cozy cavity for 

 himself in autumn, just as the hairy wood- 

 pecker does. The chickadee, titmouse, nut- 

 hatch, bluebird, wren, tree swallow, sparrow 

 hawk, crested flycatcher and owls, are not the 

 only birds that are thankful to occupy his snug 

 quarters in some old tree after he has moved 

 out in the spring to the new nursery that his 

 mate and he make for their family. He knows 

 the advantage of a southern exposure for his 

 hollow home and chisels his winter quarters 

 deep enough to escape a draught. Here he lives 

 in single blessedness — or selfishness? — with no 

 thought now for the comfort of his mate, who, 

 happily, is quite as good a carpenter as he, 

 and as able to care for herself. She m.ay make 

 a winter home or keep the nursery. 



