324 



SCANSOKES. 



PlC'IX.^3. 



SUB-FAMILY TIL 



The True Woodpeckers. 



Gex. Charac. — Bill more or less lonp, broad at the base, much compressed 

 towards the tip, which is truncated, the sides of the upper mandible sloping, 

 and furnished with a lateral ridge that springs from the middle at the base, 

 gradually bends towards the lateral margin, and then extends above it to 

 the tip ; the outer posterior toe generally longer than the outer anterior toe. 





Fig. 132. — the great spotteb woodpecker, 

 {Picnx major.) 



Tlie True Woodpeckers feed upon insects, wliicli 

 they capture in tlie woody structure and beneath the 

 bark of trees. Their large and strong toes arranged 

 in pairs give them great facility in maintaining their 

 footing on a perpendicular surface, a faculty which 

 is aided by their stiff and horny tail, composed of 

 strong feathers, ending in sharp points, which act 

 as a prop. Their beak is shaped like a wedge, 



