The Red-headed Woodpecker 89 
The old Redhead found the lost fledgling about the time that I did 
and flew over to it with what looked like a big grub. At the delectable sight, 
the youngster dropped all its airs of independence, and with weak infantile 
cries turned and opened wide its bill! 
Two days later I found two birds that may have been father and son, on 
the side of a flagpole, out in the big world together. The old bird’s head glowed 
crimson in the strong sunlight, and it was fortunate indeed that only friends 
were by. 
The striking tricolor makes the Redheads such good targets that they are 
in especial danger from human enemies and need loyal, valiant defenders where- 
ever they live. And what a privilege it is to have birds of such interesting habits 
and beautiful plumage in your neighborhood! How the long country roads 
are enlivened, how the green fields are lit up, as one of the brilliant birds rises 
from a fence-post and flies over them! In the city, it is rare good luck, indeed, 
to have a pair nest in an oak where you can watch them; and even a passing 
glimpse or an occasional visit is something to be thankful for. 
“There’s the Redhead!”’ you exclaim exultantly, when a loud tattoo beats 
on your city roof in spring. And “There’s the Redhead!” you cry with delight, 
as a soft kikarik comes from a leafless oak you are passing in winter; and the city 
street, so dull and uninteresting before, is suddenly illumined by the sight. 
Questions for Teachers and Students 
What is Conservation ? ‘How do Woodpeckers help the United States in the 
Conservation of its forests? What do Red-headed Woodpeckers eat? Is there 
enough wild food for birds in your neighborhood? Why do people feed birds? 
What is it to play fair? To be just to birds? How about the golden goose? 
What nuts have you seen Redheads eat? Do Woodpeckers and Squirrels quarrel 
over nuts? Where have you seen Redheads store beechnuts? What is a cache? 
What birds and animals cache food? What have you found cached in the woods? 
How do Redheads open beechnuts? Acorns? What can the old hunters tell you 
about good nut or acorn winters and Redheads? If the Woodpeckers go south 
in winter, where you live, at what times do they go and return? What different 
calls have the Redheads ? Haye you ever heard a Tree-toad answer one by 
mistake? What are the Redheads’ favorite drumming-places? Where do the 
Woodpeckers nest near you ? Do both old birds brood the eggs and feed the young ? 
Do they feed by regurgitation? How long do the old birds feed the young after 
they leave the nest? Do the old birds use the same nest year after year? Why? 
How far can a Woodpecker see an insect? Are the Redheads’ colors always con- 
Spicuous? Why? Does their color pattern make them more or less conspicuous ? 
Draw the flight of a Redhead fly-catching. Draw his position in hunting. Why 
is it particularly interesting to have Redheads in your neighborhood? How can 
you prevent their being killed? 
