WINTER NEIGHBORS 



bellied species, he says : " It rattles like the 

 rest of the tribe on the dead limbs, and with 

 such violence as to be heard in still weather 

 more than half a mile off; and listens to 

 hear the insect it has alarmed.'* He listens 

 rather to hear the drum of his rival, or the 

 brief and coy response of the female ; for 

 there are no insects in these dry limbs. 



On one occasion I saw downy at his drum 

 when a female flew quickly through the tree 

 and alighted a few yards beyond him. He 

 paused instantly, and kept his place appar- 

 ently without moving a muscle. The fe- 

 male, I took it, had answered his advertise- 

 ment. She flitted about from limb to limb 

 (the female may be known by the absence 

 of the crimson spot on the back of the head), 

 apparently full of business of her own, and 

 now and then would drum in a shy, tenta- 

 tive manner. The male watched her a few 

 moments, and, convinced perhaps that she 

 meant business, struck up his liveliest tune, 

 then listened for her response. As it came 

 back timidly but promptly, he left his perch 

 and sought a nearer acquaintance with the 

 prudent female. Whether or not a match 

 grew out of this little flirtation I cannot say. 



Our smaller woodpeckers are sometimes 

 35 



