Outdoor Visits  by Edith M. Patch

A New Year's Party

§ 2. Suet Puddings for Woodpeckers

The next time Don and Nan went out to the tree the chickadees were not there.

Another kind of bird was eating suet. He had a warm black-and-white coat and some red feathers on the back of his head.

Don and Nan said, "Happy New Year, Mr. Woodpecker!"

The woodpecker was happy but he did not sing. He had a good time with the suet.

His bill was big and strong. He tore off parts of the suet and pulled out some nuts.


[Illustration]

The woodpecker pulled so hard that the suet fell off the branch.

Don and Nan ran into the house.

"Mother," said Nan, "the hungry woodpecker pulled the suet and it fell to the ground. What shall we give the birds for their party?"

"Would you like to make some suet puddings and put them into holes in the tree?" asked Mother. "I will show you how to make them."

So they warmed some suet on the back of the stove. They did not let it get too soft. They took it off the stove when they could shape it with their hands.

They put nuts with the suet. Then they shaped it into little puddings.

Don and Nan found some holes in an old tree. They filled these holes with little puddings.

"I do not think the woodpeckers can throw those to the ground," said Mother.

The woodpecker with the red on his head came for more suet.


[Illustration]

His mate came, too. She had a warm black-and-white feather coat but she had no red feathers on her head.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodpecker had a happy time at the party. They could reach the suet and it did not fall to the ground.

After the woodpeckers went away, the chickadees came back to the party. They found the suet and nuts in the holes and ate some.

"I think that is a good way for them to have the suet," said Uncle Tom. "It will last many days."