Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-05-21

IOht as liAr as tue eyes, or even artDer.
The tongue. which is somewhat horny and
bears on its upper side several barbs, is
attached to the apex of this V, and thus is
hung upon n spring. To the curved bony
rods which form this spring, muscles are
so attached as to drive the tongue rapidly
forward when it as rapidly springs back.
In some of the larger species by this ar
rangement the tongue can be thrown sew
eral inches beyond the end of the beak,
and in most cases it is easily protruded to
a considerable distance. The beak is hard,
and thick, and strong at the base, from
which it tapers towards the end; the sides
are more or less fiattened so that the end
is brought to sharp vertical edge, which
does excellent service as n chisel. The
tail is also somewhat peculiar, in that the
feathers are very strong and stiff, with the
ends pointed, and there are strong muscles
by which it may be bent against the bark
OF the trunk or branch of tree in
which position it greatly assists the bird
IN maintaining its place when chiseling
the wood. The position in which wood
peckers are often seen as they run over a
tree, or stop to dig out a grub, is APP
parently an unnatural and difficult one.
but the combined action of claws and tail
renders it easy for the bird. The process
of excavating the nest, and the lesser
but more constant digging after grubs
must necessarily produce q great deal
of vibration through the head, and we
find the ordinary membraneous covering
of the brain very thick and strong, so that
this organ is fully protected.
Woodpeckers do not seek the society of
man by choosing their nesting places near
his haunts, as do many of our common
birds, such as the robin, wren, cat-bird,
etc, but usually finds a suitable place in
grove or forest. Yet some of the species
are not infrequent visitors of our orchards
and gardens, and sometimes they nest in
these places.
We have in Vermont the following spe-
cies of the woodpecker family: Hairy
woodpecker, downy woodpecker, pilested
woodpecker, black-backed woodpecker,
red-headed woodpecker, golden-winged
woodpecker and yellow-bellied woodpeck
er. AS this list is not long one, propose
10 take up each species and briefly con-
slider its character and habits. OF this list
but two those first named, belong to the
typical genus of the family. These, pecirS
CitlGcus or the hairy woodpecker, and
pccirs pH6eSceus or downy woodpecker,
are of all the group most commonly seen
about orchards and gardens. They re-
semble each other very closely in colora-
ton, both being black above with large
spots or stripes of white, while the under
side of the body is pure white.
The hairy woodpecker is considerably
larger than the other. It's body is some
what variable in size. but is usually nine
or ten inches long. Like most of the
group it does not migrate but remains
throughout the year in the same region.
though in midwinter it is most often found
in evergreen forests. have seen it near
the top of Cancels Hump in midwinter as
active us in summer, searching in every
crevice of bark for eggs or larvae of in
sects, and now and then digging into the
wood, or, if the tree be dead, tearing off
the bark and searching beneath it for the
Insects which are sure to be there. The
nest is occasionally made in an orchard,
but far more commonly in the woods away
from dwellings. Like that of all wood
peckers the nest is often dug in decayed
tree, but not very rarely in one that is
sound and hard On few chips at the
bottom of the hole, which is usually only
lust large enough for the birds to pass in
and out, five pure white, almost crystal
line, eggs are laid. | know of no bird
that lays an egg so beautifully white. The
food of this species consists chiefly of in
sects and of these it destroys great num-
berS. 1t also eats some seeds and berries,
and is to be regarded as one of our most
useful birds.
The downy woodpeckcr is one of the
smallest of the family. 1t is also one of
the most friendly and is found more than
any other species near dwellings. 1t is !
not often more than six inches long, and
because of its small size it is able to hop
about over currant bushes and others of
size too small to afford support for larger
birds. have often seen this little wood |
pccker busily examining currant bushes,
digging out borers and picking off eggs
and chrysalds, and undoubtedly doing
much good by its destruction of Injurious
insects. Its nest is not made until some-
what later than that of the hairy wood
pecker. The habits of all the woodpeckers |
are very interesting and sometimes strange
or ludicrous, and the species under consid-
Grafton is not an exception to the rule.
The above remark, at least the last part
of it, is especially true in regard to their
behavior at pairing time. l can describe
the performances of the downy woodpccker |
no better than by quoting from Mr.. Cen
try's " Life Histories Of Birds He says
1--WE have often observed pair of
males engaged in making love to one
female Sometimes the one would |
triumph. and the most devoted affection
be mutually reciprocated; then events
would take n turn, and the rival claimant |
would enjoy for q brief season the taste of
anticipated joys, but to be doomed as his
predecessor had been. This would often
last for hours, when the female, as if tired |
of such fiirtations, would accept the part
ner of her first choice, and HE away to
the woods. Occasionally a pair of both
sexes would happen to meet upon the
same tree, when similar scenes would be
enacted by the jolly females, much to the
chagrin and vexation of their respective
sutors The period of counting has been
known to last for nearly a week, but it
rarely exceeds couple of days" After
pairing the next business is selecting a
location for nest, and this being fixed
the work of excavation is begun. The
account of this process given by the great
pioneer in American ornithology, Wilson,
is so graphic and clear that l will quote it
at some length: 1.-THE tree is infinitely
reconnoitered for several days previous to
the operation, and the work is first be-
gun by the male, who cuts out hole in
the solid wood as circular as if described
by pair of compasses. He is OCCASION
ally relieved by the female, both parties
working with indefatigable diligence.
The direction Of the hole, if made in the
body of the tree, is generally downward,
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, capacious and as smooth rs
if polished by the cabinet maker; but the
entrance is judiciously left just so large as
to admit the bodies of the owners. During
this labor they regularly carry out chips,
often strewing them at distance to pre-
vent suspicion. This operation sometimes
occupies the chief part of a week. Before
She begins to lay, the female often visits