296 SUMMER. 



pended by the claws from the boughs of trees, the pos- 

 ture of the toes by which the woodpecker sticks to the 

 bark, is that of rest, not that of exertion. 



When a pair of woodpeckers have contrived, by their 

 drumming, to let each other know that a habitation is 

 wanted in order that the purposes of the season may be 

 accomplished, they seek for one in a hollow tree, and, 

 if they do not meet with one to their mind, they imme- 

 diately begin to construct one ; and instances have 

 been found of their, working with so much assiduity, as 

 to excavate their abode in the undecayed timber of a 

 tree. They do not, however, in those cases, make 

 choice of the very hardest, nor have they recourse to 

 solid trees, if they can find such as are partially de- 

 cayed. When the nest has to be made, the two birds 

 take the labour by turns, work with great assiduity, 

 and so neatly, that the aperture is a perfect circle. The 

 excavation is often so very deep, that no enemy can get 

 at the eggs in the absence of the parent birds ; and 

 when these are there, there is not much danger, as a 

 bill that can strike so rapidly, and with so much effect, 

 as that of the woodpecker, acting from an aperture of 

 small dimensions, is a very perfect defence. The chips 

 of wood that are formed in excavating the nest, are 

 generally all that is needed as a receptacle for the eggs 

 and the young. The eggs are four or five in number, 

 of a bright greenish white, and powdered with small 

 black spots. When the young come out of the nest, 

 they can run up the stems and branches of the tree, 

 and tap the crevices for food before they are able to use 

 their wings. 



The woodpeckers are of considerable service in the 



