just here, a red-headed woodpecker gave a loud "rat-a-tat-tat" on the tree above the ground hog's head, and there was a look around her bill as though she wanted to laugh. the ground hog slowly turned his head to look at her as she flew away. "quite a good-looking young person," he said, "but badly brought up. she should know better than to disturb those who are talking. what was i saying, children?"