THE WOODPECKER. 225 
works in less rebellious woods. But the woodpecker of France and 
Germany, compelled to pierce the 
bark of our ancient European oaks, 
possesses quite a different instrument 
a hard, strong, and heavy bill. It 
is probable that he devotes more 
hours to his toil than his American 
congener. He is, as a labourer, 
bound by hard conditions, working 
more and earning less. In dry 
seasons especially, his lot is wretched; 
his prey flies from him, and retires to 
an extreme distance, in search of 
moisture. Therefore he invokes the 
rain, with constant cry: ‘“ Plieu! 
Pliew!” It is thus that the common 
people interpret his note; in Bur- 
gundy he is called The Millei’s Pro- 
ewrer; woodpecker and miller, if the 
rain should not descend, would stand 
still and run the risk of starving. 
One eminent ornithologist, Tous- 
senel, an excellent and ingenious 
observer, seems to me mistaken in 
his Judgment of the woodpecker’s 
character, when he pronounces him a 
lively bird. For on what grounds ? 
On the amusing curvets in which he 
indulges to gain the heart of his love. 
But who among us, or among more 
serious beings, in such a case, does 
not do the same? He calls him also ae ed 
a tumbler and a clown, because at his appearance he wheeled round 
rapidly. For a bird whose powers of flight are very limited, it was 
15 
