92 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



The burrowing powers of the great Ivory-billed Woodpecker 

 are marvelous, its chisel-like beak having been known to chip 

 splinters from a mahogany table, and to cut a hole fifteen inches 

 in width through a lath-and-plaster partition. Even the small 

 Downy Woodpecker is able to bore its way through solid wood, 

 and to make a most ingenious nest, the burrow sloping for some 

 six or eight inches, and then being driven perpendicularly down 

 th-e tree. The bird takes care to make the sloping tunnel only 

 just large enough to admit the passage of its body ; but the per- 

 pendicular hole, in which it resides, is quite large and roomy, so 

 as to deserve the name of a chamber. When first made, the hole 

 through which the bird enters its nest is as truly circular as if 

 cut by a centre-bit; but it loses the sharpness of its outline after 

 it has been in use for any length of time. Both the male and fe- 

 male Woodpecker work at this task of excavation, laboring alter- 

 nately, relieving each other in regular rotation, and pecking con- 

 tinually until the burrow is finished, even though they should 

 occupy several days in completing their home. They are so in- 

 tent upon their labor, that they work all day and far into the* 

 evening, hammering away like carpenters at the bench. 



The nest is not unfrequently stormed and seized by a usurp- 

 er, diminutive in size, but unconquerable in spirit. This is the 

 common house- wren, which is fond of building in holes and cran- 

 nies, and is by no means particular as to its domicile. Kind- 

 hearted persons are in'the habit of nailing boxes to poles in their 

 gardens for the use of this little bird, which is sure to take im- 

 mediate possession, and to repay them for their benevolence by 

 ridding their plants of noxious insects. Empty cocoa-nuts, 

 gourds, earthen pots, and similar objects, are eagerly appropria- 

 ted by the wren ; and, in default of better premises, it will build 

 in old hats, or in the sleeves of coats that have been hanging un- 

 disturbed on their pegs. 



The burrow of tlie Woodpecker is far too comfortable a dwell- 

 ing to be neglected by the wren, who allows the Woodpecker to 

 proceed with its labors until he thinks that the hole is large 

 enough for his purpose, and then assaults the unfortunate bur- 

 rowers, driving them ofi" to seek another and a less disturbed lo- 

 cality. In one case, a pair of Woodpeckers began to make their 

 tunnel in an apple-tree, and were driven from the spot by the 

 house-wren. They then pitched upon a pear-tree, completed 

 their burrow, and had laid one egg, wKen they were again at- 



