His loud, angry twittering soon brought his mate to his assistance, and then the woodpecker found himself between two fires.

After trying in vain to elude them, he suddenly popped into a hole in the tree, and stuck out his long bill, as if defying them to enter.

The kingbirds were completely outwitted; and, after making two or three angry darts at the hole in which their cunning enemy had taken refuge, they settled down on the branches close by to wait until he should show himself.

They had no intention of giving up the contest.

The woodpecker seemed to take matters very coolly, and improved his time by pounding away industriously on the inside of the tree.