SPHYRAPICUS VARWS. 225 



trances was always a certain indication of the age of the cavity and as the Woodpeckers 

 almost invariably drill a nesv hole every year, we passed those which did not look fresh. 

 Soon, however, we discovered a stub in which was a newly made orifice and we glided 

 toward it, when our suspicions were confirmed for, at the sound of our voices, a fine male 

 alighted on the top of the dead tree and began bowing his head, dodging around the trunk, 

 peering at us from behind it, and at the same time uttering his discordant cry of alarm. 

 In a moment more, we were beside the stub but, as it was badly decayed about the base 

 and as the entrance to the nest was some thirty feet high, no one cared to risk a fall, even 

 for the chance of procuring the eggs of the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. We were all de- 

 sirous of ascertaining what the nest contained, so finally, decided to cut down the tree, 

 hoping that, as it must fall in some three or four feet of water, the eggs might remain un- 

 injured. We were provided with an ax and now came the difficult task of using it while 

 standing in a rocking boat, but one of us essayed to perform this part while the others held 

 the little craft as firmly as possible by planting the oars in the mud. At the first blow of 

 the ax, out darted the female and flew upon a neighboring stub. This proved quite an 

 incentive to pursue our labor for we were now very sure that the much coveted eggs were 

 above us, so we redoubled our efforts and soon had the satisfaction of seeing the tree sway 

 preparatory to falling. Then it suddenly occurred to us that it might be precipitated a- 

 cross the boat or, even if inclined the other way as was apparent, it might strike the tops 

 of some adjacent stubs and thus shoot backward against us. As in either case if we escap- 

 ed injury, the boat would be swamped, we paused a moment to consider as to the best 

 course to pursue. As the wind was blowing in puffs, we concluded that by making every- 

 thing ready to shoot our light craft away instantly, we could give a few strokes with the 

 ax, then retreat and allow the wind to finish the task. A few well-directed blows were 

 accordingly struck, causing the tree to sway very perceptibly, then we glided away a few 

 yards and watched the result. At this moment, a strong breeze came rippling along the 

 water and, as the old stub felt the pressure, it inclined more and more until, as last over- 

 balaneing, came down with a loud splash that produced the effect of a miniature earthquake 

 and for a moment, we were rocking upon waves which are seldom encountered in those 

 placid waters. All this commotion lasted but a few seconds, everything being quiet again 

 by the time we were along-side the floating stub which we rolled over to find the hole from 

 which the Woodpecker had emerged. This was soon accomplished and with a few blows 

 of the ax, the opening was enlarged sufficiently for us to see into the interior but, to our 

 disappointment, not a single egg remained whole, for all were broken into minute frag- 

 ments. 



Like the other species of Woodpeckers, the Yellow-bellies are quite playful and may 

 frequently be seen chasing one another about the tree trunks. At such times, they utter 

 notes which have the peculiar intonation noticeable in all our species when so engaged. 

 They also have other cries, all harsh, however, and will occasionally call by rattling upon 

 a resounding limb. The note of alarm is not unlike that given by the Blue Jays, being 

 delivered in about the same tone but is more querulous and thus may be recognized with- 

 out difficulty. 



BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 29 



