DOWNY WOODPECKER.— Pic«s pxihescens. 



every part of tlie exterior and interior with great attention, as every prudent tenant of a 

 new house ought to do, and at length takes complete possession. The eggs are generally 

 six, pure white, and laid in the smooth bottom of the cavity. The male occasionally 

 supplies the female with food while she is sitting, and about the last week in June the 

 young are perceived making their way up the tree, climbing with considerable dexterity." 



The same writer then proceeds to remark that the process of nest-making is not 

 always permitted to go on without hindrance, for the impertinent little house-wren, who 

 likes to build her nest in hollows, but who is not strong or large enough to scooj) a 

 habitation for herself, will often allow the Woodpeckers to make a nice deep hole just fit 

 for a wren's nest, and then drives them off and takes possession of the deserted domicile. 

 One pair of Woodpeckers met with very hard treatment, being twice turned out of their 

 house in one season, and the second time they were even forced to abandon one egg that 

 had been laid. 



The holes made by this Woodpecker in trees are very numerous, and have often led 

 more observant orchard-owners to think the bird an enemy to their trees, and to kill it 

 accordingly. Wilson has, however, completely exonerated the bird from the charge, and 

 proved it to be a useful ally to man instead of a noxious foe. " Of all our AVoodpeckers, 



