This morning, when I was over in the miller's woods, where we heard the Whip-poor-will, I saw the queerest bird, running up a tree; he let me come close to, without being frightened.
[Illustration: Downy Woodpecker.] "At first I thought he was a Black-and-white Creeper, for he was all black and white.

Then I saw he was much bigger, and the beak was square at the end, as if it was cut off instead of being sharp-pointed.

He had the strangest feet, two toes behind and two in front, and when he came down near where I stood, I saw a bright-red spot on the head.

When I went a step nearer, he didn't like it, and then laughed out loud at me--'Quip! Cher, cher, cher, cher! Ha! ha! ha! ha!' I thought he might be some kind of a Woodpecker, but those in uncle's room are a great deal bigger." "A very good description of the Downy Woodpecker," said the Doctor, coming up under the porch where they were sitting.

"This bird belongs not only to a different family from any you have heard about, but to a different order also.
"You have seen that Perching Birds all have three toes in front, and one behind on the same level, so that they may easily grasp a perch and keep their balance.