24 
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 
less. With respect to the habits of this new species, we have no 
particular account; but there is little doubt that they will be 
found to correspond with the one we are now describing. 
The abject and degraded character which the count de Buffon, 
with equal eloquence and absurdity, has drawn of the whole tribe 
of Woodpeckers, belongs not to the elegant and sprightly bird 
now before us. How far it is applicable to any of them will be 
examined hereafter. He is not “ constrained to drag out an 
insipid existence in boring the bark and hard fibres of trees to 
extract his prey,” for he frequently finds in the loose mould- 
ering ruins of an old stump, (the capital of a nation of pismires) 
more than is sufficient for the wants of a whole week. Ife can- 
not be said to “ lead a mean and gloomy life, without an inter- 
mission of labour,” who usually feasts by the first peep of dawn, 
and spends the early, and sweetest hours of morning, on the 
highest peaks of the tallest trees, calling on his mate or com- 
panions; or pursuing and gamboling with them round the larger 
limbs, and body of the tree, for hours together; for such are 
really his habits. Can it be said that “ necessity never grants 
an interval of sound repose” to that bird, who, while other tribes 
are exposed to all the peltings of the midnight storm, lodges dry 
and secure in a sung chamber of his own constructing? or that 
“ the narrow circumference of a tree circumscribes Azs dull 
round of life,” who, as seasons and inclination inspire, roams 
from the frigid to the torrid zone, feasting on the abundance of 
various regions? Or is it a proof that “ his appetite is never soft- 
ened by delicacy of taste,” because he so often varies his bill of 
fare, occasionally preferring to animal food the rich milkiness 
of young Indian corn, and the wholesome and nourishing ber- 
ries of the Wild Cherry, Sour Gum, and Red Cedar? Let the 
reader turn to the faithful representation of him given in the 
plate, and say whether his looks be “ sad and melancholy!” It 
is truly ridiculous and astonishing that such absurdities should 
escape the lips or pen of one so able to do justice to the respective 
merits of every species; but Butfon had too often a favourite 
theory to prop up, that led him insensibly astray; and so, for- 
