Le THE GAIRDNER WOODPECKER. 
THE local representative of the widespread Downy type is a perfect 
miniature of the more abundant Harris Woodpecker, even in flight and 
voice; and to the same causes must be attributed the soiling of a bosom 
once immaculate. Unlike his greater double, however, Gairdner’s Wood- 
pecker is for the most part confined to deciduous timber, and shows a great 
preference for wooded bottoms and the borders of streams. Here his 
industrious tap, tap and cheery pink notes may be heard not alone from the 
trunks of trees, but from the smaller branches. These he traces to the 
very end in a search for lurking grub or nit. 
The presence of this bird is a benediction in an orchard, for he in- 
spects every niche and crevice of a fruit tree, and if he finds deep-seated 
troubles, the holes he drives are as necessary as the physician’s lancet. 
But folks still call them “sapsuckers,’ and shoot their little benefactors. 
Such people should be fined, for a first offense; and the fine remitted only in 
case they agree to “read up.’ For a second offense—Well, I believe in 
capital punishment myself. 
The little Downies, strictly resident, as they are, wherever found, are 
not so hardly put to it to subsist in winter here as they are north and 
east. If grubs are scarce there are always edible berries and seeds to fall 
back on. Yet Gairdners relish nuts or a bit of suet hung out in winter 
time; and if the would-be patron be not too eager in first advances a very 
pretty friendship may be established in the course of a season. 
Also, because of the season’s mildness, winter bird troupes are not 
such an important institution as in the frigid East. But wherever Kinglets, 
Juncoes, Creepers, Wrens, and Chickadees do associate together for be- 
nevolent offense and defense, there is Downy in the midst,—and one can 
hardly help adding (the Master would be the last to forbid it) ‘“‘and that 
to bless.” 
It is at times difficult to distinguish, in the case of the pink notes and 
the longer rattling call, between the voices of this bird and the Harris, 
but the notes of the smaller bird are usually much less in volume and 
strength, and have a rather more nasal quality. All Woodpeckers have 
also a sort of signal system, or Morse code, consisting of sundry tattoos on 
resonant wood. These calls are used principally, or exclusively, during the 
mating season, and consist, in the case of the Gairdner, of six or seven 
taps in regular and moderate succession. The birds have favorite places 
for the production of these sounds; and it is probable that birds are able 
to distinguish their calling mates by the timbre of the smitten wood, as 
well as by some subtle variation of tempo which escapes unfamiliar ears. 
Gairdners place their nests at inconsiderable heights in deciduous trees. 
and those, if possible, among thick growths on moist ground. Both sexes 
assist in excavation, as in incubation. Partially decayed wood is selected 
