124 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



larvae and pupae of beetles, which they obtain by boring into 

 the bark and woody parts of trees, and which are skilfully 

 extracted by their long, barbed, extensile tongue. The pre- 

 cise whereabouts of which, is seemingly determined by 

 the few loud taps which are made, preparatory to dislodging 

 their victims. We have often noticed this movement, which 

 is always followed by an attitude of intense listening. In 

 our examinations of the stomachs of these birds, we have 

 discovered complete specimens of several species of ants, 

 prominent among which was Formica sanguinea; and 

 various beetles, such as Cratonychus cinereus, C. pertinax. 

 Bostrichus pini, in their larval and perfect stages ; besides. 

 Harpalus compar, H. carbonarius, Pangus caliginosus. 

 and others. A few small spiders, which commonly harbor 

 in creviced bark, were also noticed. 



We have no personal knowledge of its breeding habits, 

 and, consequently, are compelled to borrow from other 

 sources, to complete its biography. Wilson says the eggs 

 are laid in the hole of a tree, which the birds excavate them- 

 selves, and upon a few soft rotten chips which subserve the 

 purposes of a nest. Audubon asserts that these holes are 

 sometimes bored perpendicularly, and, at other times, after 

 the manner of Campephilns principalis, at depths varying 

 from twelve to eighteen inches, and from two and a half to 

 three inches in width at the mouth, and from five to six inches 

 at the bottom. Rev. Dr. Bachman, on the authority of Dr. 

 Brewer, discovered a nest built in an old elm-tree in the 

 midst of a swamp, and has recorded some very interesting 

 facts connected therewith. During the early part of the 

 subsequent spring, a pair of Bluebirds took possession of the 

 hole, and prepared to raise a brood of young. The Wood- 

 peckers returned before the young were fully matured, and 

 in spite of the remonstrances and repeated assaults of their 

 parents, took them out of the nest, and bore them to some 

 distance. The nest was then destroyed, the hollow cleared 

 out, and a brood of young Woodpeckers successfully reared. 



