130 Pictures of Bird Life 



Kiiowino- tliat tliev are conspicuous, instead of sitting close, 

 thev leaxe their egg's at th slightest suspicion of danger, 

 warned by their mates, wliicli keep watcli oxei- them. But 

 tlieir eo-o-s, wliich Avould be in danger if wliite, hke those 

 of l)irds nesting in lioles, are inxariably exceedingly diffi- 

 cult to see, being in colour and markings so like tlie 

 surroundino- oTound as to be indistinguishable. Birds which 

 sit closely on an o])cn nest are always so protectively 

 coloured as to })e Acry inconspicuous. 



To return to the AVoodpeckers. Tlie whole structure of 

 tlieir bodies in every particular is admirably adapted to their 

 peculiar way of life. The feet are xery powerful : and in 

 place of the toes in front and one behind, as is usual with 

 birds which merely grasp their perch, they have two hind 

 toes and two front ones. This gives the birds a better 

 purchase in grasping the inequalities of the rough bark, and 

 in supporting themselves in an upright attitude. Additional 

 support is further prox ided by the long, stiff, incurxed tail- 

 feathers, M'hich serxe as a fulcrum. The beak is like a 

 natural pickaxe, with which the l^ird, while grasping firmly 

 with its strong feet, can give the most tremendous blows, 

 sufficient not only to dislodge large pieces of bark in searching- 

 after insects, but to dig grubs and caterpillars out of the 

 solid wood. The nest-hole is constructed l)y boring a perfectly 

 circular hole into the tree, which turns at right angles to a 

 depth of several inches. The hollow is then slightly enlarged, 

 and the glossy white eggs hi':d on the chips at the bottom. 



The tongue is perhaps the most extraordinary feature 



