lonp and strong, and arim-d at the tip with horny barbs, with which they can speak 

 and extract their food frtjin holes and crannies. The feet liave two toes in front 

 and two behind, fitted for chnjijing. They ne\er perch, in the trne sense of the 

 word, as do birds that have three toes in frf)nt and one behind. Tlie tail feathers 

 are very stitT and stronp^ and are used to brace tlie bird against tlie tree. .\ verv' 

 curious thing about Woodpeckers is that the root of the tongue is not at the back 

 of the mouth or bill ; it extends clear round the back part of the head, running over 

 the top of the head, and ends extending uj) between the eyes. This arrangement 

 enal)les them to thrust the tongue very far out of the mouth. 



Doth these Woodpeckers excavate holes in trees in which they nest, and which 

 are their Iiomcs during the winter, i'hey seldom use the same hole as a winter 

 home that they have used as a nesting |)lacc. I have many times observed, late 

 in the fall, the newly dug hole of the Hairy Woodj)ecker. He invariably chooses 

 the south side of the tree, or the under side of a limb for his winter home. 



These birds may Ixjth be found at all times during the winter. If the weather 

 is very severe or stormy they do not venture out much. But let the sun shine and 

 you will hear them hammering away on some limb, and hear their "Quip, sher, 

 cher !"' as they dive with their undulating wave-like motion through the air. 



We must not forget our cheery little friend, the Chickadee. Stormy weather 

 has no terror for them. Indeed, they seem to delight in a snowstorm. They are 

 very companionable among themselves during the winter. When the weather is 

 severe "they gather about the hayricks, or find their way into the sheds or mows. 

 They are great destroyers of weed seeds and insects. 



The Turkey Buzzard is one of Nature's scavengers, and, as such, is one of the 

 few birds whose services to mankind are thoroughly appreciated. There are others 

 of equal or even greater value who daily earn their right to good will which we 

 stupidly and persistently refuse to grant them ; but of the Turkey Buzzard's assist- 

 ance we have frequent convincing proof, and the decree has gone forth that injury 

 to this bird is punishable by a fine. 



Buzzards are very numerous in the South, and are so tame that they walk 

 about the streets like domestic fowls. I have seen the banks of the Mississippi 

 at New Orleans completely lined with them. They keep the banks perfectly cleared 

 of all decaying animal matter, thus rendering a great service to man. Gulls are 

 also scavengers, aiKl are protected by law. Our common Crow does more good 

 than we appreciate, by devouring the carcasses of dead animals. 



77Z 



