i88 Bird -Lore 



When he first came, the top of his head was nearly white, which made 

 him look bald by the side of his red -headed parent, but after a day or so 

 the bright scarlet feathers began to appear, and looked like drops of blood 

 on the white. As soon as he could provide for himself, the father ceased 

 to notice him, and began to show around another young one, a timid little 

 female. During all this time, the mother was not seen once, and we con- 

 cluded that she was looking after other young members of the family. 



The Brown Thrasher came regularly for his supper just before dark, 

 and his threatening scold could be heard some time before he would appear 



MALE RED-BELMED WOODPECKER 



at his favorite feeding-place. I have often seen him on the ground in 

 between some orange trees in our yard, ' thrashing" the sand from side to 

 side with his long bill, until his head and back would be covered with dust. 

 Many an hour did I wait before I could obtain even a snap-shot of this 

 most tantalizing bird, and then, at the last, how vexatious it was to have 

 him hide his lovely long tail behind the moss, as one can see by the photo- 

 graph. In my estimation. Chapman does not do justice to the glorious 

 song of this bird. Its notes are so varied, so full of volume, the long inter- 

 vening pauses giving an expression of great dignity. In the early spring it 

 sings the same notes very low, making a melody that is inexpressibly sweet, 

 but which can be heard only when very near them. 



Dozens of other and smaller birds come to us, some daily, others only 

 occasionally, the daintiest of all. perhaps, being the little Painted Bunting. 



