WOODPECKilES. 15 
9 
not accord witli this condemnation of the little ham- 
merer. 
The principal characteristics of this species, accord- 
ing to Wilson, are diligence, familiarity, perseverance, 
and a strength and energy in the head and muscles of 
the neck which are truly astonishing. Mounted on 
the infested branch of an apple-tree, where insects have 
lodged their corroding and destructive brood in 
crevices between the bark and wood, he labours some- 
time s for half an hour incessantly at the same spot, 
before he has succeeded in dislodging and destroying 
them. At those times you may walk up pretty close 
to the tree, and even stand immediately below it^ 
within five or six feet of the bird, without in the least 
embarrassing him. The strokes of his bill are distinctly 
heard several hundred yards off; and I have known 
him to be at work for two hours together on the same 
tree. He has a single note, or chick, which he 
frequently repeats ; and when he flies off or alights 
on another tree, he utters a rather shrilly cry, com- 
posed of nearly the same kind of note quickly reite- 
rated. In fiill and winter he associates with the tit- 
mouse, creeper, etc.; both in their wood and orchard 
excursions, and usually leads the van. Of all our 
AYoodpeckers, continues AV"ilsou, none rid the apple- 
trees of so many vermin as this, digging off the moss 
which the negligence of the proprietor had suffered to 
accumulate, and probing every crevice. In fact, the 
orchard is his favourite resort in all seasons ; and his 
industry is unequalled, and almost incessant, which is 
more than can be said of any other species we liave. 
In fall, he is particularly fond of boring the ap])]e-trees 
