340 THE DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
follows and flits along the fence from post to post as long as he can keep 
his friends in sight, or else he takes to the mullein stalks himself. 
In moving from place to place Downy gives a characteristic pik, and 
less frequently a rattling call, which is an exact imitation of that of the Hairy 
Woodpecker. It is at times difficult to distinguish either the single notes 
or the longer calls, but while the notes of the smaller bird are usually much 
less in volume and strength, they 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 
Photo by the Author. 
WHEN DOWNY FREEZES HIS TOES. 
ONE OF THOSE HEAVY HOAR FROSTS WHICH MADE THE WINTER OF 1902-3 MEMORABLE 
IN CENTRAL OHIO. 
exclusively, during the mating season, and consist in the case of the Downy 
of six or seven taps in regular and moderate succession. 
Nesting is at inconsiderable heights, and both sexes assist in excavation 
and incubation. Partially decayed wood is selected, and an opening made 
about an inch and a quarter in diameter. After driving straight in an inch 
or two, the passage turns down and widens two or three diameters. At the 
depth of a foot or so the crystal white eggs are deposited on a neat bed of 
fine chips. Incubation lasts twelve days, and the young are hatched about 
the first of June. According to Dr. Jones a second brood is sometimes 
brought off in July. 
