i87 



sleep, and an abundance of decaying wood in 



which to hunt insects on stormy days. An 



ice-house is a favorite location for him, the (^ z^ellgv) of 



warm sawdust furnishing a good burrowing P^'^,^^ 



place for a nest or sleeping room. When a 



building is used as a winter resort, the bird 



very cunningly drills the entrance close up 



under the eaves, where it is sheltered from 



storms, and at the same time out of sight of 



all prying eyes. 



During the winter several birds often 

 occupy one building together. I know of 

 one old deserted barn where, last year, five 

 of the birds lived very peaceably together. 

 At almost any hour of the day, if one 

 approached cautiously and thumped the side 

 of the barn, some of the birds would dash 

 out in great alarm, never stopping to look 

 behind them. At first there were but three 

 entrances ; but after I had surprised them a 

 few times, two more were added, in order , 

 to get out more quickly -^^ 

 when all were inside. 



Two things about my 

 family in the old bai-n 



