CHAPTER XXV. 
WOODPECKERS. 
“ fT^HESE are quite a numerous family,” said Miss 
J- Harson, “ and are all to be found in our woods 
through the winter, but the golden-winged wood- 
pecker seems, with his cheery notes, to belong more 
particularly to the season of spring. 
“ The red-headed woodpecker is probably as well 
known as any bird in America, and his red, white, 
black, and steel-blue plumage is frequently seen in 
the orchards and corn-fields and along the fences 
where he is so fond of hovering. ‘ Wherever there 
is a tree or trees of the wild cherry covered with ripe 
fruit, there you see him busy among the branches ; 
and in passing orchards you may easily know where 
to find the earliest, sweetest apples by observing those 
trees on or near which the red-headed woodpecker is 
skulking, for he is so excellent a connoisseur in fruit 
that wherever an apple or pear is found broached 
by him, it is sure to be among the ripest and best- 
flavored ; when alarmed he seizes a capital one by 
