The Ornithologist Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...species feeds on various kinds of seeds, nuts and fruit, and upon the approach of cold weather it has been observed to make holes in decayed trees, and therein deposit a quantity of seed, doubtless as a provision in case of necessity during the wintertime for this species remains in the woods of Canada throughout the year and in the coldest periods takes refuge in the cavities that it has made, or other holes in trees. In the winter when the weather is not very cold it is frequently observed abroad searching for food among the trees; at such times it will sometimes visit barns in the vicinity of its haunts; but soon as the demands of hunger are satisfied it again seeks the shelter of its native woods. This bird is also remarkable for the instinct it possesses of fixing a nut in a crack while it pierces it with the bill, swinging the whole body at the same time, as upon a pivot, in order to give effect to each stroke. Early in the month of April, several years ago, while I was engaged sugar making, on the old homestead farm in Peel, I observed two pair of these birds busily engaged in collecting materials for the building of their nests in the vicinity of the camp-fire. Both male and female assisted in preparing a cradle for their future progency, and a variety of materials were collected for the purpose; pieces of rough bark were first used, then moss, fibers of bark and a large quantity of hair completed the nest. After laboring for an hour or two they would cease the work of nest making and devote a like period to procuring food, and when the demands of hunger were satisfied they would again commence nesting. In about a week the nest was finished; and two weeks later, after the female had deposited her full set of eggs, wishful to see...