PIC1D.E. 



tins bird in thus consuming and destroying sucli numbers 

 of insects in all stages and of all kinds is very apparent. 



In consequence of the food of the Black Woodpecker, 

 much of which consists of the wood-boring maggots of 

 beetles and moths, and its constantly inhabiting decayed 

 wood, this bird has a very unpleasant smell, which is so 

 powerful, that sporting dogs decline taking them in their 

 mouths, when shot, to bring them to their master. 



The Black Woodpecker only breeds in the deepest pine 

 forests, but does not always choose a fir tree in which to 

 excavate a hole for its nest or residence, as it is known to 

 breed also in oaks and beeches, provided the trees are old 

 and large. 



About the beginning of April, preparations are made for 

 the nest, when the birds search for a tree where a branch lias 

 been torn out by the wind, or where some decayed place 

 in the wood may aid the formation of a hole, otherwise 

 they chisel a hole of a sufficient size, to introduce a 

 man's hand, and after this opening is made and perfectly 

 rounded, it is terminated by a cavity or cup about nine 

 inches in diameter, and in a direction slanting downward 

 from the entrance hole ; it occupies about a fortnight to 

 excavate and finish the apartment, which is usually fifty or 

 sixty feet from the ground. The female deposits her four, 

 five, or six eggs, in the bare cavity ; these are so very trans- 

 parent and delicate, that the yolk at first may be plainly seen 

 through the shell. The male and female sit for seventeen 

 or eighteen days before the young brood come forth ; the 

 parent birds feed their nestlings with ants eggs, and are so 

 much attached to them, that they will hardly quit the nest if 

 an attempt is made to take the young from them. 



It is somewhat difficult to find the breeding place of 

 this species, even when the vicinity is known, unless atten- 

 tion is paid to the wood which lays at the foot of the tree in 



