148 
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 
Such are the vicious traits, if I may so speak, in the 
character of the Red-headed Woodpecker; and I doubt not 
but, from what has been said on this subject, that some readers 
would consider it meritorious to exterminate the whole tribe 
as a nuisance : and, in fact, the legislatures of some of our 
provinces, in former times, offered premiums to the amount of 
twopence per head for their destruction.* But let us not 
condemn the species unheard: they exist — they must therefore 
be necessary, f If their merits and usefulness be found, on 
* Kalm. 
f The abundanee of this species must be very great, and from the depreda- 
tions they commit, must be more felt. Mr Audubon says that a hundred 
have been shot, in one day, from a single cherry tree. In addition to their 
other bad habits, they carry off apples by thrusting in their bill as a spike, 
and thus supporting them. They also frequent pigeon-houses, and suck the 
eggs, — a habit not very common among this tribe ; and, for the same purpose, 
enter the boxes prepared for the Martins and Blue Birds. Another method 
of adding to their destruction, in Kentucky and the southern states, is in the 
following manner related by Audubon : — 
“ As soon as the Red-heads have begun to visit a cherry or apple tree, a 
pole is placed along the trunk of the tree, passing up amongst the central 
branches, and extending six or seven feet above the highest twigs. The 
Woodpeckers alight by preference on the pole, and whilst their body is close to 
it, a man, standing at the foot of the pole, gives it a twist below with the head 
of an axe, on the opposite side to that on which the Woodpecker is, when, in 
consequence of the sudden vibration produced in the upper part, the bird is 
thrown off dead.” 
According to the same gentleman, many of the Red-heads, (a name by which 
they are universally known,) remain in the southern districts of the United 
States during the whole winter. The greater number, however, pass to countries 
farther south. Their migration takes place during night, is commenced in the 
middle of September, and continues for a month or six weeks. They then fly 
high above the trees, far apart, like a disbanded army, propelling themselves by 
reiterated flaps of their wings at the end of each successive curve which they 
describe in their flight. The note which they emit at this time is different 
from the usual one, sharp, and easily heard from the ground, although the birds 
may be out of sight. At the dawn of day, the whole alight on the tops of the 
dead trees about the plantations, and remain in search of food until the 
approach of sunset, when they again, one after another, mount the air, and 
continue their journey. — Ed. 
