depending on the presence of man for protec- 

 tion from hawks and owls. At such times 

 the bird soon learns to recognize those who 

 belong in the orchard, and loses the extreme 

 shyness that characterizes him at all other 

 times. 



Once a farmer, knowing my interest in 

 birds, invited me to come and see a golden- 

 winged woodpecker, which in her confidence 

 had built so shallow a nest that she could be 

 seen sitting on the eggs like a robin. The 

 moment we crossed the wall, within sight of 

 the nest, the bird slipped away out of the 

 orchard. Wishing to test her, we withdrew 

 and waited till she returned. Then the 

 farmer passed within a few feet without 

 disturbing her in the least. Ten minutes 

 later I followed him, and the bird flew away 

 again as I crossed the wall. 



The notes of the golden-wing — much 

 more varied and musical than those of other 

 woodpeckers — are probably the results of 

 his new free life, and the modified tongue and 

 bill. In the woods one seldom hears from 

 him anything but a rattling tattoo, as he 



185 



<^ &ellga) of 

 Expedient's 



