BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



The SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER of the South 

 Atlantic and Gulf States is smaller and browner than 

 its northern relative. 



THE Downy Woodpecker is a member of a family of 

 birds that has attracted man's attention since the old 

 days of superstition. Various myths have grown up 

 around these birds; those of the American Indians are 

 possibly the most interesting. Until recently, woodpeck- 

 ers have been persecuted by the white man, because of 

 tlieir habit of pecking at trees whicb they were thought to 

 kill. Many have been unjustly slain. 



While one branch of the family, the Sapsuckers, have 

 done a great deal of harm to forests where they breed, and 

 other woodpeckers have done occasional damage, it is now 

 known that they are invaluable as preservers of our trees. 

 Entomologists and foresters consider them the greatest 

 enemies known of spruce-bark beetles and sap-wood bor- 

 ers. As borers are found near the surface in living trees, 

 the holes made by woodpeckers while extracting them soon 

 heals and leaves little mark. 



An examination of the structure of woodpeckers shows 

 the admirable way in which they are fitted for their work. 

 They have short, stout legs; strong feet, usually with two 

 toes in front and two in the back; large claws, and stiff 

 tails tipped with sharp spines, to aid them in supporting 

 themselves firmly against tree-trunks and branches. Mr. 

 Forbush says: "The bird is thus more fully equipped 

 for climbing than a telegraph lineman. The claws and 

 tail take the place of the man's hand and spurs." ^ 



Professor Beal writes the following: "As much of the 



1 From "Useful Birds and Their Protection," by E. H. Forbush. 



[66] 



