Tile Singing of Birds. E.P.Bickneli. 
Picus pubescens. Downy Woodpecker. 
In addition to its usual short, sharp note, the Downy Wood- 
pecker has a rattling cry, which starts and ends with an abrupt 
precision suggestive of a mechanical contrivance set oil with a 
spring. This it uses in lieu of song. It is set off for the first 
time in the new year in March, usually about the middle, but 
sometimes earlier, and again not until the end of the month, or 
even early April. 
It is in use through the summer and autumn, often becoming 
infrequent in October, and in November still more so, although 
in some years not ceasing altogether until the end of the month. 
On a few occasions I have heard it in winter. 
The hammering of this little Woodpecker, which is often loud 
and resounding in great disproportion to the bird’s size, is intro- 
duced into the woodland sounds about the time its song-notes 
begin. In early seasons I have heard it by the middle of 
February. Auk, 2, July, 1886. p. J.f7- J? 6H? - 
