176 TAe Canadian Woodpeckers. 



tapering towards the point, the two middle ones plain deep black, the other 

 five, on each side, hoary white, lightest near the tips, deepening into bluish 

 near the bases, where each is crossed on the inner vane with a broad spot of 

 black, and nearer the root with another of ferruginous ; primaries, edged with 

 white ; bastard wing, black. 



" The female is about half an inch shorter, and an inch less in extent ; 

 breast, cinereous brown ; upper part of the neck, inclining to ash ; the spot 

 of changeable gold, green, and carmine, much less, and not so brilliant ; tail- 

 coverts, brownish slate ; naked orbits, slate colored ; in all other respects 

 like the male in color, but less vivid, and more tinged with brown ; the eye 

 not so brilliant au orange. In both, the tail has only twelve feathers." 



ABTICLE XXX. — On the Species of WoodpecJcers observed in the vicinity 



of the City of Ottawa. 



Genus Picus, (Linn.) 



Generic Characters. — Bill stout, straight, angular, and generally 

 wedge-shaped towards the tip ; nostrils elliptical or oblong, situated at the 

 base of the bill, and concealed by bristly feathers ; legs, short ; toes, 

 three or four ; claws large, strong, much curved, compressed very acute ; 

 wings of moderate length, or long, with the fii'st quill very small, the third, 

 fourth, and fifth longest ; tail of twelve feathers, the lateral very small, and 

 the three middle pairs with the shafts strong and large ; tongue long, slender, 

 and barbed towai'ds, and at the tip. Generic name Latin, Picus, a Wood- 

 pecker. 



The whole structure of the Woodpecker is admirably adapted to hia 

 mode of life. The skull is large and strong, in order to withstand the repeated 

 shocks it receives from the forcible blows the bird deals upon the trees in 

 pm'suit of his food. The legs are stout, and the claws strong, sharp, and 

 formed for climbing perpendicular surfaces ; the breast bone has a remark- 

 ably small keel, to admit of the body being laid close to the tree, and the 

 middle tail feathers are exceedingly strong, in order that by being pressed 

 hard upon the rough bark, they may serve as an additional support. The 

 wings are formed for short flights, from tree to tree, and the tongue is of 

 extraordinary length, forming a long flexible probe or feeler, which can be 

 thrust far into the small holes of the worms and insects, upon which the 

 Woodpeckers feed. The point is like a slender barbed spear, with the spines 

 directed backwards, which when thrust into an unlucky worm is sure to draw 

 him forth from his retreat. It is furnished with a peculiar muscular 

 apparatus, by the aid of which it can be shot out Tvdth great rapidity, and as 

 suddenly or gradually withdrawn ; and it is further provided with glands 

 which secrete a viscid substance, that glues to its surface, any small insect 

 with which it comes in contact. 



Some ornithologists divide the family into several genera, but Audubon 

 states that the groups present characters so undecided that it is better to 



