'Ill 



.liWIS \\( )()1)1'I':CKER. 



443 



a Sapsuckei", now, or a Harris, we could ruadily iin(k'rstaii<l Imw the ab- 

 dominal plumage might ha\e been teased to rags thru constant friction 

 with rough liark : but this lazy Jack-of-all-trades, who is more flycatcher than 

 true wondi)eckcr. hnw did he get his unde'--])lumage so feartulK' mussed? 



For all the I'.lack 

 \\" oo (1 pe c k e r keeps 

 lafgely to the tops of 

 trees, it is not a\erse to 

 ground - meats, a n d 

 where unmolested, will 

 descend to feed with 

 Cousin Flicker upon 

 crickets, geotic beetles, 

 or fallen acorns. Grass- 

 hoppers are a fa\orite 

 food, and during the 

 season of their greatest 

 abundance the bird re- 

 quires little else. Serv- 

 ice-berries are a staple 

 in season, wild straw- 

 berries are not often 

 neglected, and the bird 

 has been known to filch 

 a cherry now and then. 

 Indeed, it is noteworthy 

 that in certain fruit- 

 growing sections, such 

 as the Yakima N'alley, 

 f! 1 a c k Woodpeckers 

 have increased in num- 

 bers of late. It must 

 not be hastily conclud- 

 ed on this account that 

 the \\'ood])ecker is a t;a^ 



menace to the orchard. 

 He earns wiiat he eats. 

 Orchards attract in- 



.sects, and insects attract bird.>. Which will 

 insects, and so, eventually, no fruit? or more birc 

 fruit for all ? 



The occurrence of the Black Woodpecke 



iTOoKf 



i.i;\\is wooDPix'KriK. 



I lU lia\e, nil bird>, nmre 

 , fewer insects, and enough 



west of the Cascades is 



