301 



Fig. 258. ADULT SAPSUCKER. 



the tip of which is armed with tiny barbs, adapted to spear- 

 ing insects and drawing them from under the bark or wood 

 of trees. The tongue of a Sapsucker is covered with fine 

 hairs at the tip making a small brush with which he can lap 

 up the sap that oozes from holes he bores through the bark 

 of trees. 



His food does not, however, consist even largely of sap, 

 for he catches probably as many insects as others of the 

 woodpecker family. Sapsuckers very frequently come to 

 the suet and nut banquets that are spread for winter birds ; 

 it was while partaking of such a feast that the pictures of 

 the Sapsuckers shown here were secured. 



