The Cross-bill. 



177 



SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



either in the strength or in the rapidity of the stroke, 

 or by changing the point of percussion ; but I have 

 observed that the 

 note varies more or 

 less with the tree on 

 which it is produced. 

 During about six 

 weeks the perform- 

 ance has been fre- 

 quent every day, and 

 early in the morn- 

 ings during part of 

 this time it was al- 

 most constant. Of 

 late it has been discontinued. In all probability^this 

 is parallel to the well-know fact that singing birds 

 cease to sing after the eggs are hatched. This instru- 

 mental substitute for singing among the woodpeckers 

 is extremely curious." 



And no sooner have you satisfied yourself about the 

 woodpecker, than your ear is attracted by a smart 

 snapping rasping kind of noise. You try to trace the 

 direction from which it comes, and can scarcely be- 

 lieve your eyes when you see a bird which looks more 

 like a miniature parrot than anything else — for it is 

 brilliantly coloured — a delicious mixture of brown or 

 bronze, red and green, and which seems now to be 

 hanging by the bill from a branch and swinging there, 

 clearly defined against the white background as it 

 moves. You can scarce believe your eyes, for you did 

 not believe that the winter woodland held so beautiful 

 a denizen. You try to approach the tree on which it 

 is, and you find it far less shy than the woodpecker, 

 for it remains in your view till you are within a yard 



M 



