113 



HAIRY WOODPECKER. 



PLATE LV. PIG. I. 



PlCUS Vlllosus, LlNN^ITJS. GrMELIN. 



NIDIPICATION begins in May, when a branch already hollow is pitched 

 upon, or a fresh opening is made. 'In the former case/ says Wilson, 

 'I have known his nest more than five feet distant from the month 

 of the hole; and in the latter, he digs first horizontally, if in the 

 body of the tree, six or eight inches, and then downwards, obtusely, 

 for twice that distance; carrying up the chips with his bill, and 

 scraping them out with his feet. They also not unfrequently choose 

 the orchard for breeding in, and even an old stake of the fence, which 

 they excavate for this purpose.' 



The eggs are white, five, or thereabouts, in number, and are laid 

 in June. 



VOL. I. 



