The food of the Ivory-billed Wood- which one of these birds delivers when 



peckers consists of insects and their lar- excavating a limb in searching for larvae 



vas which are found in decaying wood, is simply terrific and has been described 



In the winter they will feed upon nuts as sounding like the blows of a hammer 



and it is said will store acorns for use upon the tree. Audubon tells us that 



during this season. One observer says : they are very fond of wild grapes,- and 



"I have seen them destroy the nests of also eat blackberries and persimmons, but 



the gray squirrels to obtain the acorns it is well known that they do not disturb 



and nuts they had put by for the winter, standing corn or orchard fruits. They 



They would sit on the top of the nest are certainly very useful birds as their 



and with a few strokes of their bill scat- food consists very largely of beetles, 



ter it in every direction." The blows larvae and the large grubs. 



BIRD. LEGENDS IN RHYME 



ORIGIN OF BIRD SONG 



An angel came wandering earthward one day, 



And joyously singing she passed on her way. 



So wondrously sweet was the song that was sung, 



That the birds paused to listen, their little throats dumb. 



No sound of earth's music ever could be, 

 So rich and so full of Heaven's own harmony ; 

 But as soon as ever the last notes had ceased 

 Each little dumb throat and tongue was released, 



And a chorus of song burst out on the air, 



That made the woods vibrate with melody rare. 



And each tiny bird sang though never before 



While their songs had one meaning "Adore Him, Adore;" 



The voice of the angel within them had stirred 



The heart of each singer, and old earth has heard, 



Ever since, from God's Songsters, their glad hymns of praise, 



And they carol them forth 011 the darkest of days. 



No songs are alike; each warm little breast, 

 Holds a different thought of the angel's behest. 

 But listen intently when bird songs are near, 

 For the song of an angel perchance you may hear. 



EDITH DRURY LEMINGTON. 



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