BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
215 
is summoned to the mouth of the hole to receive some choice hit of food, 
or the endearments and caresses of her idolizing partner. At the ajjproach 
of danger he does not desert her, but fearlessly intervenes to give the 
necessary warning. If the nest is disturbed, his quiet, peaceable disposition 
will not suffer him to make the slightest defence. His only object seems 
to reach some place of safety, from which, when attained, he can survey 
the contemplated demolition. With the female the case is different. So 
strongly attached to her home is she, that she is not prone to leave it, 
even under the most trying circumstances. A case is cited by Maynard 
of a nest having been found in a piai’tially decayed apple-tree by Mr. 
Brewster. In order to effect an entrance for the hand, and thus secure 
the female, the latter gentleman was compelled to enlarge the opening. 
The bird struggled vigorously to escape, but when liberated, returned at 
once to her eggs. Several times was she taken out, and as often re-entered 
her domicile the moment she was at large. 
Both parents are strongly attached to the young, and provide them 
with an abundance of healthy food, of a somewhat varied character, which 
they receive, soon after they are hatched, by climbing to the opening of 
the nest. This food consists chiefly, at first, of different kinds of grubs; 
but after the first week, beetles and ants are fed, and relished with a gusto. 
When about two weeks old they venture out upon the trunk to try their 
legs and claws, while their wings are acquiring development and strength, 
but retire to the nest when the weather is unpleasant, and at nights. A 
few days more, and they are prepared to earn their own living, after the 
peculiar fashion of the race. 
Young male birds do not immediately put on the plumage of the 
paternal sire, and it is probable that this condition is not attained until 
the following spring. In the fall they resemble the mother, who differs 
from her lord only in having the black of the head glossed with ash}n 
The latter is ashy-blue above, with top of head and neck black. The 
under parts, and sides of the head to a brief space above the eye, are 
white. The under tail-coverts, as well as tibial feathers, are brown, while 
