Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1885 — A Downy Woodpecker. [ARTICLE]

A Downy Woodpecker.

From an article by John Burroughs, in the Century, entitled “Winter Neighbors,” we take the following: “My bird is a genuine little savage, doubtless, but I value him as a neighbor. It is a satisfaction during the ct Id or stormy winter nights to know he is warm and cosy there in his relre.t. When the day is bad and unfit to be abroad in, he is there too. When I wish to know if he is at home, I go and s rap upon his tree, and, if he is not too lazy or indifferent, after some delay he shows his head in round doorway about ten feet above, and looks down inquiringly upon me—sometimes latterly I think half resentfully, as much as to say. ‘I would thank you hot to disturb me so often.* After sundown, he will not put his head out any rqore whoa I call, bnt as I step away I can get a glimpse of him inside, looking cold and reserved. He is a late riser, especially if it is a cold or disagreeable morning, in this respect being like the barn fowls; it is sometimes near nine o’clock before 1 see him leave his tree. On the other hand, lie comes home early, being in if the day is unpleasant by 4 p. m. He lives all alone; in this respect I do not commend his example Wl ere his mate is I should Lke to know.* * Thebe are 10,000 wind mills in Holland. Ths is pretty good for a small conntry, bnt it doesn’t begin to compare with Ameriea during a political campaign.