HAIRY WOODPECKER. 165 



at all seasons in the orchards, among the trees of our cities, along the 

 borders of plantations, on the fences, or on the trees left in the fields, 

 as well as in the densest parts of the forests. Nay, Reader, I have 

 found this species, when in company with my friend Harris and my 

 youngest son, in the very midst of vast salt-marshes, about the mouths 

 of the Mississippi, where here and there a straggling willow or cotton- 

 tree bush occurred, as gay, busy, noisy, and contented, as it if had been 

 in the midst of the woods. In such localities it alights against the 

 stalks of the largest and tallest reeds, and perforates them as it is wont 

 to bore into trees. 



In almost all parts of the Southern States, it becomes in winter 

 one of the most familiar species, and, like the Downy Woodpecker, 

 comes to the yard to glean the grains of corn left by the cattle. There 

 it may be seen hopping on the ground, among Turtle Doves, Cardi- 

 nal Grosbeaks, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and several species of Black- 

 birds. At this season, its visits to the corn-cribs are extremely fre- 

 quent ; and curious indeed do the shrill notes of this lively and indus- 

 trious bird sound in the ear of the person who chances to surprise it 

 within the crib, from which it makes off, passing swiftly perhaps with- 

 in a foot or so of his hand. But no sooner has its escape been effected 

 than it will alight close by, on the top of a fence-stake, and chuck 

 aloud as if in merriment. I have often observed it clinging to the 

 stalks of the sugar-cane, boring them, and apparently greatly enjoying 

 the sweet juices of that plant ; and when I have seen it, in severe 

 winter weather, attempting to bore the dried stalks of maize, I have 

 thought it expected to find in them something equally pleasing to its 

 taste. Like all our other species, it clings, when shot, to the trunk or 

 branch of the tree, until quite dead, and even remains sticking for se- 

 veral minutes more. 



The flight of this species is usually short, though rapid, in this re- 

 spect agreeing with that of some others allied to it, which are constant 

 residents in the United States, and differing from that of the migratory 

 species. It is seldom that more than the members of a family are seen 

 together, and even this only until the young are able to provide for 

 themselves. The migratory species, on the contrary, are frequently 

 observed to congregate upon trees laden with fruit. This never happens 

 with the Hairy, Downy, Yellow-bellied, Red-bellied, Canada, or Three- 

 toed Woodpeckers ; among some of which, however, a certain change 



