Woodpecker, Downy 



How curious and exciting the blood-red spot on its 

 hind head! It looks as if it had a black cassock open 

 behind, showing a white under-garment between the 

 shoulders and down the back. 



THOREAU. Winter. 15 



In getting a living after their peculiar fashion, the wood- 

 peckers have flattened their bodies for so many generations 

 that it has become chronic in their physique, giving them 

 a high-shouldered, long-waisted appearance that is far 

 from beautiful. 



PARKHURST. The Birds' Calendar. 31 



Seeing the birds about during snow storms, we wonder 

 what becomes of them in the still colder nights, but the 



downy takes good care of himself At night he 



is comfortably housed in a hole, which he digs expressly 

 for that purpose. Always . . . so far as my experience 

 goes, he places the entrance to his burrow so as to face 

 the sunny south. 



FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. Birds of Village and Field. 1 



Like other woodpeckers, in the spring he beats a rolling 

 tattoo on a resonant limb, sounding a reveille which is 

 a credit to so small a drummer. 



CHAPMAN. Handbook of Birds. 21 



How the Woodpecker's Crown Became Red 



The woodpecker was of great service to Hiawatha in the 

 great struggle between that brave warrior and Pearl Feather, 

 the great magician, who sent disease and pestilence among 



179 



