The Birds and Poets 237 



virtues have not been discovered, but one virtue 

 of the dry winter weeds which almost justifies 

 their existence is the supply of seeds they furnish 

 to hundreds of these little winter birds. 



The woodpeckers roost at night and during bad 

 weather in holes in trees, and they may sometimes 

 be observed in winter cleaning out old cavities 

 for roosting purposes. The hairy and downy 

 woodpeckers are the more common. They are 

 similar in appearance, but the downy is at least 

 two inches shorter, and his feathers have a fluffy, 

 ruffled, downy appearance, from which he derives 

 his name. 



Downy is also more often seen outside the 

 woods, and he is not so noisy and active as hairy. 



Referring to the wide white mark along downy's 

 black back, Thoreau remarked: "His cassock is 

 open behind, showing his white robe." 



Joel Benton puts two winter birds, the crow 

 and chickadee, into his winter picture: 



"When the crow has new concern, 



And early sounds his raucous note; 

 And where the late witch-hazels burn 

 The squirrel from a chuckling throat 



Tells that one larder's space is filled, 

 And tilts upon a towering tree; 



And, valiant, quick, and keenly thrilled, 

 Up starts the tiny chickadee." 



