OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 127 



and warmth. It is exceedingly restless and active, and in 

 its rapid journeys from tree to tree in quest of food, utters 

 its sharp and querlous note. It is unequalled in the quick- 

 ness of its movements by any of its family. It moves up- 

 wards and sideways in a somewhat circuitous manner, along 

 the trunk and branches, and is as frequently seen upon the in- 

 ferior surface of a branch as upon the upper. Though not 

 easily approached by man on account of its exceedingly 

 restless nature, it cannot be accused of more than ordinary 

 shyness. 



Its flight is undulating, and like that of most Woodpeck- 

 ers, somewhat labored and poorly sustained. 



It is eminently arboreal in its feeding habits? -and subsists 

 upon the small spiders, ants, and beetles which it encount- 

 ers, as well as upon the larva? and pupae of the former. Au- 

 dubon says that it occasionally feeds upon grain and small 

 berries.- 



The nest, according to Audubon, is not unfrequentlv found 

 in a decayed stump, about thirty feet from the ground. Mat- 

 ing occurs often as early as January, and preparations for 

 breeding are entered into during the succeeding month. 



The young are said by the same writer to leave the hole 

 before they are able to fly, and to station themselves upon a 

 branch where they receive their food until sufficiently ma- 

 tured to take care of themselves. 



During the breeding-period these Woodpeckers are quite 

 fretful and pugnacious. 



Mr. Audubon kept one of these birds, which had been 

 wounded, in a cage. Having released itself from confine- 

 ment, by cutting the bars of the cage, it ascended the walls 

 of the room, and began to feed upon the spiders and insects 

 which it was able to procure. It utterly refused to take- 

 any other subsistence until liberated. 



During the winter, and also in stormy weather, these birds 

 seek shelter in the holes of trees. 



The number of eggs laid, apparently varies. Mr. Audu- 



