'Z PICIDE. 



scribed; he is very lively and nimble, running up and round 

 the stems of trees, and also on and along the under sides of 

 the smallest horizontal branches with great ease and celerity. 

 When ascending the trunk of a tree he will at times run 

 backwards down again, but he always descends with the 

 head upwards. As an engineer, for excavating a hole for 

 the purpose of his night's habitation, or for containing a 

 nest for the reception of the eggs, he is surpassed by none 

 of the larger Woodpeckers in ingenuity, skill, or persever- 

 ance ; and although he usually chooses the softest material 

 that is to be found for his operations, yet he will not uncom- 

 monly be discovered making his hole on the under surface of 

 a horizontal forked branch of an old oak tree. 



Sometimes the Barred Woodpecker may be seen perched 

 on the branch of a tree, like other birds of his family, 

 grasping it with his toes, and if so he will be found to 

 have his legs closely drawn Up to his body, probably for 

 the purpose of balancing himself steadily. Among his own 

 species, he is as unsociable and jealous, and selfish, as 

 regards his food and worldly possessions as the foregoing, 

 and this accounts for the circumstance of his never being- 

 seen in company, except during the breeding season, 

 and after that period with its offspring until the time ar- 

 rives for them to be sent about their business. Tree 

 creepers, titmice, and golden-crested wrens are frequently 

 seen to follow in the wake of this woodpecker, although 

 the latter takes no notice whatever of them. As the bird 

 now spoken of is not at all shy or fearful of mankind, he 

 may be readily approached sufficiently near for observation, 

 nor does he fly away for some time, but continues to hop 

 for short distances. His flight resembles that of the spotted 

 woodpecker in undulating progress, lowering his position 

 in the air by drawing the wings close to the body, and rising 

 again by flapping the wings in quick succession while they 



