RED-CRESTED WOODPECKER 9 



nest, but the bird seemed indifferent to such a mild 

 attack, and would even sit still while a hundred 

 horses and mares rushed about the corral or hurled 

 themselves against the sides of it. In another case I 

 had worked with hammer and chisel for half-an-hour, 

 cutting a hole on a level with the bottom of a nest, 

 when the female first demonstrated her presence by 

 flying out almost into my face. This last nest con- 

 tained four (considerably incubated) eggs, which I 

 took. Happening to pass the spot a fortnight after, 

 I inspected the hole and was surprised to find that it 

 had been deepened and another five eggs laid, while 

 the entrance I had cut was the one now used by the 

 birds. The nest was again resorted to the following 

 year and a brood hatched out, but since then a pair 

 of Wrens have occupied the place to the exclusion 

 of the rightful owners." 



The eggs are white, four or five in number, pear- 

 shaped, and with polished shells. 



White obtained specimens of this Woodpecker in 

 Catamarca, and Mr. Barrows found it resident in 

 Entrerios. The latter tells us it is " abundant in the 

 woods everywhere, and conspicuous for its activity, 

 bright colours, and large size." 



