72 The Woodpecker. 



" Yes, but where does Mr. Woodpecker build 

 his riest ? " said Mabel. 



" Ha ! Ha ! " laughed mamma, " that is the 

 door to his little house in the limb. He and his 

 mate take turns in digging with their sharp 

 bills. They make the hole larger and larger, 

 until they have a little hall and a room down 

 stairs. They often make a deep hole. It is 

 sometimes fifteen or twenty inches deep. 



" Don't you think the little birdies are well 

 sheltered from the rain and wind in that deep 

 room ? " asked their mother. 



" Yes, indeed," answered the girls, " he takes 

 good care of his little ones." 



