270 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker or Sapsucker, as he is called, does 

 not deserve the latter name. Instead of sucking the sap from the tree, 

 as to all outward appearances seems to be the fact, he is merely boring 

 for the grubs, — injurious to the trees — lying dormant within the bark. 

 I acknowledge that the trees do lose some sap by this process, but the 

 end justifies the means. Among the trees which will be found honey- 

 combed by their lorings, the pine is the chief, for as I have said before 

 this seems to be on account of the comparative warmth and shelter 

 which they afford the insects. 



Toward the end of March the blackbirds and crows take possession 

 of the pine tops and these peculiar birds will be found to be very in- 

 teresting. Place an owl, either a living or a stuffed one, in their midst 

 and a more excited group of birds cannot be found anywhere. 



As the days grow warmer the number and variety of the birds in the 

 pines become less, but just as soon as the first frost visits us in the 

 autumn the pines will again become a center of bird life. The bird 

 student should give particular attention to the neighborhood of pines 

 for the bird life it contains will always be found of great interest. 



A SONG FROM THE NEST, 



N. A. Jackson, Keuka Park, N. Y. 

 To hear a bird sing, always gives me great pleasure; I will walk a 

 long distance to hear the Veery or any other songster. But, when I 

 hear a song, I always like to locate the performer. The song of the 

 Red-eyed Vireo, or Preacher bird has a special attraction for me; it 

 seems so full of honest endeavor and the little songster is so very much 

 in earnest about it. I once had a pleasant experience trying to locate 

 one of these little singers, whose song had drawn me to a small, isolated 

 hickory tree by the roadside. As I approached the tree, the song ceased 

 and I supposed that the bird had flown. I at once discovered the nest 

 and sat down on the grass to watch developments. Soon I was surprised 

 to hear the song again, but no bird could I see. The song seemed to 

 come from the nest, but I hardly thought that possible, nevertheless I 

 riveted my eyes on the nest and soon the trim, little, slate capped head 

 appeared above the edge of the nest and there poured forth in full 

 ecstacy of hapiness, the richest Vireo's song I ever heard or ever ex- 

 pect to hear. 



I could not believe my eyes and ears, but there it certainly was, a 

 true, living bird so brimful of pure happiness and good will that she 

 could not help but give her voice to her feelings, while on the nest. 

 Several times was the song repeated, then I went on my way, a better 

 and happier man. 



