MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



proceeding from the corner where the leader 

 runs. The strange sound suggested the dragging 

 of heavy, casterless furniture over bare floors, and 

 was accompanied by something of a vibration not 

 unlike that which marks the course of a slight 

 earthquake. I was at first much perplexed by 

 the occurrence, but before I could reach the win- 

 dow I heard the rapid call of a flicker, and a mo- 

 ment later I saw the handsome stranger. At 

 sight of me he ceased drumming and flew away, 

 so whether his suit prospered or not I cannot say. 

 We are told that in bird-land the males outnum- 

 ber the females, and that bachelors are a possibil- 

 ity; but a bird spinster is said to be a rara avis 

 indeed. 



Mr. Burroughs says it is probable that the 

 male woodpecker accepts the first female that 

 offers herself in response to the drum-call. 

 " Among all the birds the choice, the selection, 

 seems to belong to the female. The males court 

 promiscuously; the females choose discreetly. 

 . . . What determines the choice of the fe- 

 male it would be hard to say. Among song-birds 

 it is probably the best songster, or the one whose 

 voice suits her taste best. Among birds of bright 

 plumage it is probably the gayest dress; among 



