588 Home Nature-Study Course. 



Observations. — 



I. Where "does the downy alight on a tree? 



How does it cHmb a tree trunk? How does it descend? 

 How do its actions differ from those of the nuthatch? 

 How are its toes arranged to help it cling to a tree trunk? 

 How does this arrangement of toes differ from those of other 



How does it use its tail to assist it in climbing? 



What is the shape of the tail and of the individual tail feathers? 



What does the downy eat and where does it find its food? 



Describe how it gets at its food. 



How do its tail and feet assist it in getting its food? 



What is the shape of its bill and how is it adapted to getting the 



What is the form of the downy's tongue and how is it used? 



Why does the downy not go south in the winter? 



Of what use is the downy to us? 



How should we protect this friendly bird? 



Facts for teacher. — The downy is likely to alight on a tree trunk rather low 

 down or at the base of the larger limbs, although this is not invariably the case. 

 It does not run about over the tree like the nuthatch, but climbs up by jerks. It 

 never turns around to go down a tree head first like the nuthatch, but sometimes 

 backs down with a few awkward hops; usually it flies down instead. Most birds 

 have their toes arranged with three pointing forward and one backward, but the 

 woodpeckers have two extending forward and two backward. For numbering 

 birds' toes see Home Nature-Study Leaflet Vol. Ill, No. ], lesson 5. In the case of 

 the woodpecker both toe No. i which is long and the short toe No. 3 are directed 

 backward. This arrangement enables the bird to grasp the bark firmly with its 

 long claws. The four, middle tail feathers have stiff, strong quills and are pointed 

 at the tips; the side feathers are also pointed, but not so strong. When the tail 

 is opened it is circular in shape as the middle feathers are the longest, and it is 

 used as a prop against the tree when the bird is climbing, and as a brace when 

 it is chiselling the wood. (The Bird, Beebe, pp. 411, 412). The downy lives upon 

 insects which ])orc under the bark or in the wood of trees, and also upon those 

 which are hiding under the bark. When the downy wishes to get a grub from 

 under the bark or in the wood of the tree it seizes the bark firmly with its feet, 

 braces itself with its tail and then throws its head back as far as possible to give 

 force to the blow made with its chisel-like beak ; it strikes rapidly and the chips 

 fly; after it has made a hole to the grub it thrusts in its long, spear-like tongue, 

 which is barbed at the tip, and harpoons the grub, fetching it out triumphantly. 

 (The Woodpeckers, Eckstorm ; Tongues of Woodpeckers, U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture Bulletin). 



Almost all of the food of the downy consists of insects, which are enemies to 

 trees or vegetation. Therefore, these birds should be protected in every possible 

 way. They should be made to feci at home in our orchards and on our shade 

 trees, and they should never be confused with the sapsuckers which sometimes 

 injure trees. The downy never hunts for insects in live wood. 



