cutting up silly capers as the flicker does from Florida to the northern part of 



in the spring. It is possible that he drums Alaska, and from Maine into parts of 



up his mate in spring-time like the others California. 



of his sort, but I have no distinct mem- The only bird with which one is likely 

 ory of having seen it done, and if he does to confuse the Downy is the hairy wood- 

 the sound is of a subdued tone compared pecker. They are almost exact counter- 

 with the sonorous tattoo of his conspic- parts in color, habits, and- voice, the 

 uous relatives. hairy however is larger and more con- 

 However it is done he and his mate fined to the deeper wopdlands so that it 

 happen to discover each other sometime is much less often seen, 

 about April, and go to housekeeping in Of all our woodpeckers, the Downy is 

 an excavation in a dead tree or stub, us- probably the -most useful. His food, like 

 ually not far from the ground. From the others, consists mostly of insects, and 

 three to six glossy white eggs are laid, the fact of its being obtained in orchards 

 and both birds take turns hatching them and other places associated with man, 

 for about twelve days: makes the bird particularly serviceable 

 Both the habitat and breeding range in a place where service is especially 

 of the Downy is greater than that of any effective, 

 other of our woodpeckers. It extends H. Walton Clark. 



BIRD LEGENDS IN RHYME 



THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE 



When first in the garden of Eden 

 Stood Adam with Eve, sweet and fair, 



We are told that words left him speechless 

 For nothing with her would compare. 



And seeking some kind of a token 



To offer, his great love to show, 

 He turned to the myriad flowers 



That round him grew .row upon row. 



But none were there of such beauty 

 That they with his love might compare. 



And he sighed, the first sigh in Eden — 

 When a soft voice was heard on the air — 



And a rosebush stood trembling before him 

 With beautiful buds covered o'er, 



Each swelling and bursting in beauty 

 As tho' they would homage implore. 



He gazed and without hesitation 



Took rosebuds pure, fragrant and fair 



To Eve, who with ecstasy kissed them 

 And twined thro' her bright, golden hair. 



When the rose buj^h so sweet and so queenly 

 Appeared, all the flowers great and small, 



Bowed their fair heads in silence and whispered 

 "Her beauty surpasses us all." 



24 



