THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 
283 
is merriment itself, as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh, heard at a 
considerable distance. Several males pursue a female, reach her, and, to 
prove the force an'd truth of their love, bow their heads, spread their tails 
and move sidewise, backwards and forwards, performing such antics, as 
might induce any one witnessing them, if not of a most morose temper, to 
join his laugh to theirs. The female flies to another tree, where she is 
closely followed by one, two, or even half a dozen of these gay suitors, and 
where again the same ceremonies are gone through. No fightings occur, no 
jealousies seem to exist among these beaux, until a marked preference is 
shewn to some individual, when the rejected proceed in search of another 
female. In this manner all the Golden-winged Woodpeckers are soon 
happily mated. Each pair immediately proceed to excavate the trunk of a 
tree, and finish' a hole in it sufficient to contain themselves and their young. 
They both work with great industry and apparent pleasure. Should the 
male, for instance,. be employed, the female is close to him, and congratulates 
him on the removal of every chip which his bill sends through the air. 
While he rests he appears to be speaking to her on the most tender subjects, 
and when fatigued, is at once assisted by her. In this manner, by the 
alternate exertions of each, the hole is dug and finished. They caress each 
other on the branches, climb about and around the tree with apparent delight, 
rattle with their bill against the tops of the dead branches, chase all their 
cousins the Ked-heads, defy the Purple Grakles to enter their nest, feed 
plentifully on ants, beetles and larvas, cackling at intervals, and ere two 
weeks have elapsed,. the female lays either four or six eggs, the whiteness, 
and transparency of which are, doubtless, the delight of her heart. If to raise 
a numerous progeny may contribute to happiness, these Woodpeckers are in 
this respect happy enough, for they have two broods each season ; and as 
this might induce you to imagine Woodpeckers extremely abundant in our 
country, I may at once tell you that they are so. 
Even in confinement the Golden-winged Woodpecker never suffers its 
naturally lively spirit to droop. It feeds well, and by way of amusement, 
will continue to destroy as much furniture in a day as can well be mended 
by a different kind of workman in two. Therefore, kind reader, do not any 
longer believe that Woodpeckers are such stupid, forlorn, dejected and 
unprovided for beings as they have hitherto been«represented. In fact, I 
know not one of the species found in our extensive woods, that does not 
exhibit quite as much mirth and gaiety as. the present bird. They are 
serviceable birds in many points of view, and therefore are seldom shot at, 
unless by idlers ; their flesh, moreover, not being very savoury. They have 
ample range, and wherever they alight, there is to be found the food to 
which they at all times give decided preference. 
