xin LETTERS TO MARCO 87 



rooms were sure to spring up, pointing to 

 a field of his which had never had mush- 

 rooms before in it until this year, when 

 several prize rams had been placed in it. 

 Certainly there was a fine crop in it when he 

 showed me the field. I have known other 

 country people who hold to the same 

 idea. 



We had a visit from a large green wood- 

 pecker this morning. He comes to our syca- 

 more tree pretty regularly once a year at about 

 the same season. He goes very carefully 

 over the tree, no doubt clearing it of many 

 little insects that lurk behind the flakes of the 

 bark. He leaves quite a litter of little bits of 

 bark beneath on the lawn after he has gone. 

 This bird seems to pick up something from 

 the grass itself at times. It is a very hand- 

 some bird, with a very pronounced neck, short 

 tail, and exquisite crimson crest. My little 

 scribble is done from recollection. 



I had a charming letter from Hook the 

 other day. I sent him some time ago clumps 



