ledge. High in a birch was a small hole from 

 which the scarlet crown and chin of a sapsucker 

 appeared in view, as the bird thrust out his head 

 and looked inquiringly about. A harsh imperious 

 call brought the female, who clung to the trunk 

 till the male came out, whereupon she dived into 

 the hole herself, while he in turn went foraging. 

 Whenever the pair were absent from the nest 

 the insatiable young were heard squealing within. 

 It was a fearsome place that was home to these 

 young savages, a room within a tower, lighted by 

 a single small window far above. To think of 

 being born and raised in the dark heart of a tree ! 

 The old birds called to each other from time to 

 time as they hunted over the neighborhood, and 

 their speech was as that of wild men, the very 

 rudiments of language rude, uncouth and evi- 

 dently of few words. But, as with the speech of 

 savages, these words were doubtless packed with 

 meaning, whole sentences and paragraphs in them- 

 selves, of hard and practical import. Now and then 

 the scarlet crown appeared at the entrance of the 

 dark wigwam. Any lurking foe would be espied 

 from there. Probably not a twig moved below 

 but it was noticed. 



33 



