THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



409 



Presently the Woodpecker may be seen coming very cautiously round the tree, peering 

 here and there, to assure itself that the coast is clear, and then, after a few preliminary taps, 

 will set vigorously to work. So rapidly do the blows follow each other, that the head of the 

 bird seems to be vibrating on a spring, and the sound can only be described by the comparison 

 already made, namely, a watchman's rattle. Chips and bark fly in every direction, and should 

 the tree be an old one, whole heaps of bark will be discovered at the foot. By the aid of a 

 small telescope, the tongue can be seen darted out occasionally, but the movement is so 

 quick, that unless the attention of the observer be especially directed towards it, he will fail 

 to notice it. 



The Woodpecker has several modes of tapping the trees, which can be readily distin- 

 guished by a practised ear. First there is the preliminary tap and the rapid whirring strokes 



WOODPECKERS.— Fiats major, medius aud minor. 



already described, when the bird is engaged in seeking its food. Then there is a curious 

 kind of sound made by pushing its beak into a crack, and rattling it in such a manner against 

 the wood, that the insects think their house is falling, and run out to escape the impending 

 danger, just as worms come to the surface when the ground is agitated by a spade or fork. 

 Lastly, there is a kind of drumming sound made by striking the bill against some hollow 

 tree, and used together with the peculiar cry for the purpose of calling its mate. 



Although the Woodpeckers were formerly much persecuted, under the idea that they 

 killed the trees by pecking holes in them, they are most useful birds, cutting away the decay- 

 ing wood, as a surgeon removes a gangrened spot, and eating the hosts of insects which 

 encamp in dead or dying wood, and would soon bring the whole tree to the ground. Thej do 

 not confine themselves to trees, but seek their food wherever they can find it, searching old 



Vol. II— 52. 



