304 VERTEBRATA. AVES. 



search of suitable food for him. As I re-ascended 

 the stairs, I heard him again hard at work, and on 

 entering had the mortification to perceive that he 

 had almost entirely ruined the mahogany table to 

 which he was fastened, and on which he had wreaked 

 his whole vengeance. While engaged in taking a 

 drawing, he cut me severely in several places ; and, 

 on the whole, displayed such a noble and uncon- 

 querable spirit, that I was frequently tempted to 

 restore him to his native woods. He lived with 

 me nearly three days, but refused all sustenance, 

 and I witnessed his death with regret."* 



The manners of all are pretty much the same, 

 down to the diminutive Downy Woodpecker, no 

 larger than a Sparrow, (P. Pubescens,) of which the 

 engaging writer just quoted observes, "The prin- 

 cipal characteristics of this little bird are diligence, 

 familiarity, perseverance, and a strength and energy 

 in the head and muscles of the neck which are truly 

 astonishing. Mounted on the infected branch of 

 an old apple-tree, where insects have lodged their 

 corroding and destructive brood in crevices between 

 the bark and wood, he labours sometimes for half 

 an hour incessantly at the same spot, before he has 

 succeeded in dislodging and destroying them. At 

 these times you may walk up pretty close to the 

 tree, and even stand immediately below it, within 

 five or six feet of the bird, without in the least 

 embarrassing him. The strokes of his bill are dis- 

 tinctly heard several hundred yards off ; and I have 

 known him to be at work for two hours together 

 * Am. Orn. vol. i. p. 132. 



