Chapter IX 

 WOODPECKERS 



'Ah! there is the note of the first flicker, a prolonged, 

 Monotonous wick-wick-wick-wick-wick-wick, 

 But how that single sound peoples and enriches all the 

 Woods and fields! It seems to put a life into 

 Withered grass and leaves and bare twigs and henceforth 

 The days shall not be as they have been." 



— Thoreau. 



Woodpeckers are the carpenters, or wood 

 cutters, of the bird world. The structure of the 

 skull and the sharp-edged, chisel-like bill are 

 well adapted to the cutting and pecking habits 

 of these birds, by which means they obtain 

 their food supply and excavate their homes. 

 They are also supplied with long, slender and 

 very sharp-pointed tongues which may be ex- 

 tended to some length, excellent implements 

 for impaling and withdrawing the exposed grub. 

 With the exception of one variety, Woodpeckers 

 are rarely seen upon the ground. They are 

 creepers and climbers, the structure of the feet 

 being the best possible to aid them in clinging 

 to the perpendicular tree trunks, or to the under 

 side of horizontal limbs. Stability is given to 

 the body while in such position by the stiff 

 spines of the tail feathers which make excellent 

 braces. Thus we see in these birds that form and 

 structure of the various parts best adapted to 

 their habits. 



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