Duelling Woodpeckers

[poliphilo]

The woodpeckers are starting up. Yesterday there was one rat-tat-tatting in an oak tree in the upper field- and this morning it has been joined by a couple in the lower field- one baritone and one tenor. I think the difference in timbre must be caused by the nature of the wood they're tapping. One lets off a fusillade, the second answers, the third joins in. It's like they're in dialogue, in competition, duelling like banjo-players. I suppose it's all about territory. Do they think it's Spring?

And how do they manage not to shatter their skulls?