612 
BIRD-LIFE. 
flies forth in search of food, drive a hard ping into the 
entrance hole of the nest; post thyself on the watch 
behind the tree till he returns at feeding time. When he 
perceives that the nest is stopped np, he will circle round 
uttering dismal cries, and at sundown suddenly take wing 
again. When this has taken place, he careful to provide 
thyself with a scarlet mantle, or in default go to the dyer 
and purchase of him four ells of red cloth, which thou 
must conceal under thy coat, and tarry patiently under 
the tree for a day, or perhaps two, till the Woodpecker 
returns to the nest with the Spring root in his beak. As 
soon as he toucheth the plug thou hast driven into the 
hole in the tree with this root, it will then instantly 
burst out with great strength, like unto a cork from a 
bottle. Be then ready, and spread the red mantle or 
cloth under the tree, when the Woodpecker will take it 
to be fire that is beneath him, and, being affrighted, he 
will then let fall the root. Some people really light a 
small fire at the foot of the tree that shall not give out 
much smoke, and upon it scatter blossoms picked from 
the plant called spikenard: this is, however, not a good 
plan, for if the fire doth not flare quick enough, the bird 
will depart, carrying the root with it.” 
Such is the legend told in connection with the king of 
this remarkable family of climbing birds inhabiting our 
forests. 
The Great Black Woodpecker is a splendid bird, some¬ 
what larger than the Jackdaw, though smaller than the 
Crow. Its plumage is entirely black, except the head, 
which in the male is of a brilliant red from the forehead 
to the occiput; in the female the red is confined to a 
patch on the occiput, not extending to the forehead. 
This bird inhabits an extensive range of country. It is 
