DECEMBER 



255 



tree, and is ready for his work, — that of 

 clearing the bark of insects and of those 

 "white worms" that will become full- 

 fledged insects later on. 



The woodpecker is a most industrious 

 fellow, beginning near the bottom of a tree 

 and working his way up to the top. Even 

 in the very dead of winter he finds here a 

 hearty meal, and the poor insects that had 

 crept under the edges of the dried bark in 

 the autumn fall victims to his searching eye 

 and his strong, prying bill. Having worked 

 one trunk over thoroughly, from bottom to 

 top, he sweeps with undulating flight to the 

 bottom of another tree, and works his way 

 up it. 



DOWNY' S NESTING 



When the snow has gone and spring has 

 come, he will take to the dry, hollow, light- 

 ning-blasted top of a tree. On this far- 

 sounding drum he will rattle away cheerily 

 and industriously until some downy maiden 

 who loves a drummer responds. Then he 

 turns to and digs her a home out of the same 



