122 
WANDERINGS IN 
second to pierce through it, there would be nothing inside 
■tourney, j cou l c i fancy, or my stomach digest. I often 
visit them, it is true, but a knock or two convince 
me that I must go elsewhere for support; and were 
you to listen attentively to the sound which my bill 
causes, you would know whether I am upon a 
healthy, or an unhealthy tree. Wood and bark are 
not my food. I live entirely upon the insects which 
have already formed a lodgement in the distempered 
tree. When the sound informs me that my prey is 
there, I labour for hours together till I get at it; 
and by consuming it, for my own support, I pre¬ 
vent its further depredations in that part. Thus I 
discover for you your hidden and unsuspected foe, 
which has been devouring your wood in such secrecy, 
that you had not the least suspicion it was there. 
The hole which I make in order to get at the per¬ 
nicious vermin, will be seen by you as you pass 
under the tree. I leave it as a signal to tell you, 
that your tree has already stood too long. It is past 
its prime. Millions of insects, engendered by disease, 
are preying upon its vitals. Ere long it will fall a 
log in useless ruins. Warned by this loss, cut down 
the rest in time, and spare, O spare the unoffending 
woodpecker.” 
The In the rivers, and different creeks, you number six 
Kin gt- 
fisher. species of the King-fisher. They make their nest in 
a hole in the sand on the side of the bank. As there 
is always plenty of foliage to protect them from the 
heat of the sun, they feed at all hours of the day. 
Though their plumage is prettily varied, still it falls 
