GOLD-WINGED WOODPECKER. 
141 
' ^ICVs JVEATUS, LINS.BIIS. GOLD-WINGED WOODEBCKEE. 
"■lli 
PLATE III. FIG. 1. — EDINBDRGII COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
^*'>s elfiirant bird is well known to our farmers and 
Dior “ - - - 
sportsmen, who take every opportunity of de- 
Cy'Dg him ; the former, for the supjiosed trespasses 
bs'^'amits on their Indian corn, or the trifle he will 
Of"? in market, and the latter for the mere plcasu^ 
w I'^struction, and perhaps for the favour of his tlesh, 
t ' ^i> is in o-eneral esteem. In the state of Pcmisyl- 
o>> i>e ran scarcely he called a bird of fiassagc, as, 
C' in severe winters, they may ho found within a 
tC'ailes of the city of Philadelphia; and 1 have known 
exposed for sale in market every week during tlm 
u "Ills of November, December, and January, and that, 
v’, in more than commonly rigorous weather. They 
V % ■ .... 
:""ia. 
""nht, however partially, migrate, even here ; being 
iia 1 *"nre numerous in spring and fall, than in winter. 
tCV in the month of April, they begin to prepare 
tif Qt'st, w'liich is built in the hollow body, or branch 
^ sometimes, though not alw ays, at a considerable 
t|,' ?"l'^from the ground ; for 1 have_ frequently 
''ail , 
**om lae grouiiu , im a imvaL 
Ilia, on the trunk of an old apple tree, at not more 
'a foet from the root. The sagacity of this bird 
tri,J’*"'Overing, under a sound bark, a 
liollow limb or 
fop O a tree, and its perseverance m perforating it 
nil, purpose of incubation, is truly surprising; the 
" anil female alternately relieving and ciicoiwaging 
libi purpose 
"11 1! female , . . 
C "filer, by mutual caresses, renewing their labours 
P(,J«Veral days, till the object is attained, and the place 
At sufficiently capacious, convenient, and secure. 
Hi f'Us employment they are so e.xtremely intent, that 
Uh,^ “'."y in* heard till a very late hour in the evening, 
""ipiiig like carpenters. 1 have seen an instance 
