GOLD-WINGED WOODPECKER. 
47 
fed on young ears of Indian corn ; refused apples, but ate the 
berries of the sour gum greedily, small winter grapes, and 
several other kinds of berries ; exercised himself frequently in 
climbing, or rather hopping perpendicularly along the sides 
of the cage ; and, as evening drew on, fixed himself in a high 
hanging, or perpendicular position, and slept with his head in 
his wing. As soon as dawn appeared, even before it was light 
enough to perceive him distinctly across the room, he descended 
to the bottom of the cage, and began his attack on the ears of 
Indian corn, rapping so loud, as to be heard from every room 
in the house. After this, he would sometimes resume his 
former position, and take another nap. He was beginning to 
become very amusing, and even sociable, when, after a lapse 
of several weeks, he became drooping, and died, as I con- 
ceived, from the effects of his wound.* 
* Mr Audubon says they live well 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 a week.” The same 
gentleman, when speaking of their flight, again adds, that it is more “ strong and 
prolonged, being performed in a straighter manner, than any other of our wood- 
peckers. They propel themselves by numerous beats of the wings, with short 
intervals of sailing, during which they scarcely fall from the horizontal. When 
passing from one tree to another they also fly in a straight line, until within a 
few yards of the spot on which they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise 
themselves a few feet, and fasten themselves to the bark of the trunk by their 
claws and tail. Their migrations, although partial, (as many remain even in 
the middle districts during the severest winters,) are performed under night, as 
is known by their note and the whistling of their wings, which are heard from 
the ground.” Of its movement he also speaks : “ It easily moves sidewise on a 
small branch, keeping itself as erect as other birds usually do ; but with equal care 
does it climb by leaps along the trunks of trees or their branches, descend, and 
move sidewise or spirally, keeping at all times its head upwards, and its tail 
pressed against the bark, as a support.” 
I have thus at length transcribed Mr Audubon’s minuter details, as tending 
to shew the differences of habit in this form, which will be still better observed 
when compared with those we have yet to describe. 
There is another peculiarity in these birds, and some others of the genus, 
