WOODPECKERS AND THEIR ALLIES 65 



exuded from them. At the time when I had 

 free range in them, pieces of pure gum, ranging 

 from the size of a shilling to that of half-a-crown, 

 were very common. Probably his corrective 

 and stimulating diet of ants, which seems so 

 very necessary to the members of his family, 

 is procured from the trees ; for if the bird had 

 to go on the turf for them, he would show as 

 conspicuously as a piece of printed paper. 



In a state of captivity woodpeckers are most 

 interesting and confiding creatures. It has 

 been necessary to keep them in captivity in 

 order to set at rest some of the myths of a 

 certain class of wind-bag ornithologists. After 

 observing the changes in the young birds, both 

 male and female, as they advanced towards 

 mature plumage, I can only say that the pro- 

 cess is most curious and interesting ; but want 

 of space will not allow me to enter into details 

 of a somewhat scientific nature. 



Not that I care personally to see them, either 

 in large cages or in aviaries, for no amount of 

 care and of kindness can compensate for their 

 want of space there. The raptores are not more 

 out of their element than are woodpeckers in 

 confinement. 



The lesser black and white woodpecker in 



