25t> 



.RECREATION. 



ping of the woodpecker announced his 

 arrival early in May. It is strange that 

 'with so many trees to choose from the 

 redheaded woodpecker frequently selects 

 telephone and electric poles as nesting 

 places. The golden-winged woodpeckers, 



YOUNG GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKERS. 



however, almost invariably select trees in 

 accessible localities. 



Because of the merciless slaughter by 

 sportsmen the woodcock is becoming a rare 

 bird, and for that reason the discovery of 

 a pair in our woodland afforded keen de- 

 light. When searching for thrushes' 

 nests in May I came suddenly on a fine 

 male woodcock in the shelter of some 

 hazel near the edge of a grassy marsh. 

 Although less than 5 feet distant the beau- 

 tiful creature seemed to consider himself 

 unobserved and remained motionless. His 

 coat of golden brown, long, graceful bill 

 and large brilliant eyes fascinated me. In 

 about 2 minutes he moved off, quietly 

 creeping over and under fallen twigs and 

 branches. On a slight noise near at hand 

 he rose with characteristic whir and dis- 

 appeared beyond the trees. 



Among other birds which are disappear- 

 ing is the upland or field plover. Being a 

 delicate morsel for the epicure, the species 



is well nigh extinct. However, a ramble 

 across the meadow resulted in seeing a 

 female plover rise from the tall grass, and 

 with a continuous succession of sharp notes 

 fly about in a seemingly distracted manner. 

 Back and forth and around she flew, oc- 

 casionally alighting in the grass, only to 

 rise again and flutter away in an opposite 

 direction. Diligent search failed to dis- 

 cover her nest, which she carefully hides 

 after the manner of the meadow lark. 



While searching for the plover's nest I 

 was highly amused by the temerity mani- 

 fested by 2 young crows. Proud of their 

 newly acquired ability to fly, and not yet 

 having learned that mankind in general is 

 the enemy of the crow, they came flapping 

 over me not 20 feet in air. They were 

 met by the mother crow, whose voice 



YOUNG FLICKERS. 



sounded harsh as she reproved their fool- 

 ish adventure. The speed of the 2 inno- 

 cents was quickly accelerated and they 

 were soon high in air, speeding toward a 

 place of safety. 



