74 WINTER NEIGHBORS. 



no gallantry among the birds except at the mating 

 season. I have frequently seen the male woodpecker 

 drive the female away from the bone upon the tree. 

 AYhen she hopped around to the other end and timidly 

 nibbled it, he would presently dart spitefully at her. 

 She would then take up her position in his rear and 

 wait till he had finished hi; meal. The position of 

 the female among the birds is very much the same as 

 that of woman among savage tribes. Most of the 

 drudgery of life falls upon her, and the leavings of 

 the males are often her lot. 



My bird is a genuine little savage, doubtless, but I 

 value him as a neighbor. It is a satisfaction during 

 the cold or stormy winter nights to know he is warm 

 and cosy there in his retreat. When the day is bad 

 and unfit to be abroad in, he is there too. When I 

 wish to know if he is at home, I go and rap upon his 

 tree, and, if he is not too lazy or indifferent, after 

 some delay he shows his head in his round doorway 

 about ten feet above, and looks down inquiringly upon 

 nie — sometimes latterly I think half resentfully, as 

 much as to say, " I would thank you not to disturb me 

 so often." After sundown, he will not put his head 

 out any more when I call, but as I step away I can 

 get a glimpse of him inside looking cold and reserved. 

 He is a late riser, especially if it is a cold or disagree- 

 able morning, in this respect being like the barn fowls ; 

 it is sometimes near nine o'clock before I see him 

 leave his tree. On the other hand, he comes home 

 early, being in if the day is unpleasant by four p. M. 

 He lives all alone ; in this respect I do not commend 

 his example. Where his mate is I should like to 

 know. 



I have discovered several other woodpeckers in ad 



