DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
453 
the middle of May also, the pair begin to look out a suitable 
deposit for their eggs and young. The entrance is in the form 
of a perfect circle, and left only just large enough for an indi- 
vidual to pass in and out. Both sexes labor for about a week 
at this task with indefatigable diligence, carrying on the burrow 
in some orchard tree, in two different directions, to the depth 
of 1 6 to 20 inches down; and to prevent suspicion the chips 
are carried out and strewn at a distance. The male occa- 
sionally feeds his mate while sitting ; and about the close of 
June the young are observed abroad, climbing up the tree with 
considerable address. Sometimes the crafty House Wren in- 
terferes, and, driving the industrious tenants from their hole, 
usurps possession. These birds have a shrill cackle and a reit- 
erated call, which they frequently utter while engaged in quest 
of their prey. In the autumn they feed on various kinds of 
berries as well as insects. No species can exceed the present 
in industry and perseverance. While thus regularly probing 
the bark of the tree for insects, it continues so much engaged 
as to disregard the approaches of the observer, though imme- 
diately under the tree. These perforations, made by our Sap- 
suckers, — as the present and Hairy species are sometimes 
called, — are carried round the trunks and branches of the 
orchard trees in regular circles, so near to each other that, 
according to Wilson, eight or ten of them may be covered by 
a dollar. The object of this curious piece of industry is not 
satisfactorily ascertained ; but whether it be done to taste the 
sap of the tree, or to dislodge vermin, it is certain that the 
plant escapes uninjured, and thrives as well or better than 
those which are unperforated. 
This diminutive and very industrious species is a constant 
inhabitant of the fur countries up to the 58th parallel, seeking 
its food principally on the maple, elm, and ash, and north of 
latitude 54 degrees, where the range of these trees terminates, 
on the aspen and birch. The circles of round holes which it 
makes with so much regularity round the trunks of living trees 
are no doubt made for the purpose of getting at the sweet sap 
which they contain. In the month of February, 1830, I 
