DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
159 
first part of this charge I shall not pretend to deny ; how far 
the other is founded in truth will appear in the sequel. Like 
the two former species, it remains with us the whole year. 
About the middle of May, the male and female look out for 
a suitable place for the reception of their eggs and young. 
An apple, pear, or cherry tree, often in the near neighbour- 
hood of the farm-house, is generally fixed upon for this pur- 
pose. The tree is minutely reconnoitered for several days 
previous to the operation, and the work is first begun by the 
male, who cuts out a hole in the solid wood as circular as if 
described with a pair of compasses. He is occasionally relieved 
by the female, both parties working with the most indefatigable 
diligence. The direction of the hole, if made in the body of 
the tree, is generally downwards, by an angle of thirty or forty 
degrees, for the distance of six or eight inches, and then 
straight down for ten or twelve more; within roomy, capa- 
cious, and as smooth as if polished by the cabinetmaker ; but 
the entrance is judiciously left just so large as to admit the 
bodies of the owners. During this labour, they regularly 
carry out the chips, often strewing them at a distance to 
prevent suspicion. This operation sometimes occupies the 
chief part of a week. Before she begins to lay, the female 
often visits the place, passes out and in, examines every part 
both of the exterior and interior, with great attention, as every 
prudent tenant of a new house ought to do, and at length takes 
complete possession. The eggs are generally six, pure white, 
and laid on the smooth bottom of the cavity. The male occa- 
sionally supplies the female with food while she is sitting; 
and about the last week in June the young are perceived 
making their way up the tree, climbing with considerable 
dexterity. All this goes on with great regularity where no 
interruption is met with; but the House Wren, who also 
builds in the hollow of a tree, but who is neither furnished 
with the necessary tools nor strength for excavating such an 
apartment for himself, allows the Woodpeckers to go on, till 
he thinks it will answer his purpose, then attacks them with 
l 
