Conspicuously Black and White 



their heads as if they had been wounded there and bled a little — 

 some more, some less ; and the figures of all of them, from much 

 flattening against tree-trunks, have become high-shouldered and 

 long-waisted. 



The red-headed woodpecker selects, by preference, a partly 

 decayed tree in which to excavate a hole for its nest, because 

 the digging is easier, and the sawdust and chips make a softer 

 lining than green wood. Both male and female take turns in 

 this hollowing-out process. The one that is off duty is allowed 

 "twenty minutes for refreshments," consisting of grubs, beetles, 

 ripe apples or cherries, corn, or preferably beech-nuts. At a 

 loving call from its mate in the hollow tree, it returns promptly 

 to perform its share of the work, when the carefully observed 

 "time is up." The heap of sawdust at the bottom of the hollow 

 will eventually cradle from four to six glossy-white eggs. 



This woodpecker has the thrifty habit of storing away nuts 

 in the knot-holes of trees, between cracks in the bark, or in 

 decayed fence rails — too often a convenient storehouse at which 

 the squirrels may help themselves. But it is the black snake that 

 enters the nest and eats the young family, and that is a more 

 deadly foe than even the sportsman or the milliner. 



The Hairy Woodpecker 



(Dryobates villostis) Woodpecker family 



Length — 9 to lo inches. About the size of the robin. 



Male — Black and white above, white beneath. White stripe 

 down the back, composed of long hair-like feathers. Bright- 

 red band on the nape of neck. Wings striped and dashed 

 with black and white. Outer tail feathers white, without 

 bars. White stripe about eyes and on sides of the head. 



Female — Without the red band on head, and body more brown- 

 ish than that of the male. 



Range — Eastern parts of United States, from the Canadian bor- 

 der to the Carolinas. 



Migrations — Resident throughout its range. 



The bill of the woodpecker is a hammering tool, well fitted 

 for its work. Its mission in life is to rid the trees of insects, 



54 



