The Hairy Woodpecker 6-] 



under a limb for protection from the weather, generally runs 

 in straight through the solid wood for about three inches and 

 then downward from ten to eighteen inches, and some of the 

 finer chips are allowed to remain in the bottom of the cavity 

 in which the eggs are deposited. 



After this is completed the male frequently excavates 

 another hole, or even several in the same tree, or in another 

 close by, in which to pass the night or to seek shelter, and to 

 be close to the nest while the female is incubating. These 

 holes are not as deep as the others. A fresh nesting site is 

 generally selected each season, but where suitable trees are 

 scarce the same one may be used for several years in succes- 

 sion. In such a case it is usually thoroughly cleaned out, and 

 the old chips in the bottom replaced by new ones. Beach, 

 ash, poplar, birch, oak, sycamore, haw and apple trees are 

 mostly used for nesting sites. The number of eggs laid to a 

 set varies from three to five, usually four. They are pure 

 white and unspotted. 



The duties of incubation are divided between the sexes 

 and last about two weeks. The young when first hatched are 

 repulsive looking creatures, blind and naked, with enormously 

 large heads and ugly protuberances at the base of the bill, 

 resembling a reptile more than a bird. They are fed by the 

 parents by regurgitation of their food, which is the usual way 

 in which the young of most Woodpeckers are fed when first 

 hatched. The young remain in the nest about three weeks. 

 Even after leaving the nest they are assiduously cared for by 

 both parents for several weeks until able to provide for 

 themselves. 



