. Ornithology and oölogy of New England [microform] : containing full descriptions of the birds of New England and adjoining states and provinces, arranged by a long-approved classification and nomenclature : together with a complete history of their habits, times of arrival and departure ... : with illustrations of many species of the birds and accurate figures of their eggs. Ornithology; Birds; Birds; Ornithologie; Oiseaux; Oiseaux. 106 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. l I |i I The habits of this bird are so well known, that any description here seems to be a work of supererogation. About the first w
. Ornithology and oölogy of New England [microform] : containing full descriptions of the birds of New England and adjoining states and provinces, arranged by a long-approved classification and nomenclature : together with a complete history of their habits, times of arrival and departure ... : with illustrations of many species of the birds and accurate figures of their eggs. Ornithology; Birds; Birds; Ornithologie; Oiseaux; Oiseaux. 106 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. l I |i I The habits of this bird are so well known, that any description here seems to be a work of supererogation. About the first week in May, the males begin to pay court to the females ; at this period their movements arc amusing. *' Tlieir note is merriment itself, as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh, heard at a considerable distance. Several males pur- sue a female, reach her, and, to prove the force and truth of their love, bow their heads, spread their tails, and move sidewise, back- wards, and forwai'ds, performing such antics as might induce any one witnessing them, if not of a most morose temper, to join his laugh to theirs. The female flies to another tree, where she is closely fol- lowed by one, two, or even half a dozen of these gay suitors, and where again the same ceremonies are gone through. No fightings occur, no jealousies seem to exist among these beaux, until a marked preference is shown to some individual, when the rejected proceed in search of another female. In this maimer, all the Golden- winged Woodpeckers are soon happily mated. Each pair imme- diately proceed to excavate the trunk of a tree, and finish a hole in it sufficient to contain themselves and their young. They both work with great industry and appar nt pleasure. Should the male, for instance, be employed, the female is close to him, and congratu- lates him on the removal of every chin which his bill sends through the air. "While he rests, he appears to be speaking to her on the most tender subjects, and wdie
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectorn
