The Audubon Societies 301 



that knows the Flicker can ever fail to tell it in flight or at rest by its white upper tail- 

 co\'erts? 



Those who wish to know the Warblers cannot do better than to learn first which 

 species have unmarked tails and which show conspicuous spots, edgings, or patches of 

 contrasting color. 



Concerning the uses of the tail, it acts as a rudder in flight and probably aids in balanc- 

 ing the body. It is also used as a brace or prop by the Woodpeckers and Creepers and 

 Swifts, for the Swifts brace with their spinej'-tipped tails when at rest, just as the Wood- 

 peckers and Creepers do when feeding. 



In species like the Peacock and Pheasant, the upper tail coverts are much prolonged 

 into wonderfully varied and beautiful shapes; while in the Marabou Stork the under 

 tail-coverts are lengthened and curled into exquisite form. Altogether, the tail is a 

 remarkable and interesting part of the bird's structure, and is well worth close study and 

 observation. Certain birds carry the edges of the tail turned up keelwise in flight. Others 

 fold together the tail-feathers in such a way as to make the center pair higher than the 

 others, presenting a folded appearance. Ordinarily the tail is carried flatwise. 



To recognize birds quickly when on the wing is a decided achievement. In order to 

 do this, learn the form of the wings and tail, for this is a sure clue to correct identification. 



SUGGESTIONS 



1. What birds carrj' the tail keelwise in flight? 



2. What common bird has triangular white patches on the outer edges of the tail? 



3. What Sparrow has white outer tail-feathers? 



4. What other birds have similar markings? 



5. Is there anything peculiar about a Phoebe's tail? 



6. What birds have long tail-feathers? 



7. Why do not water- and shore-birds have long tails? 



8. What shape of tail has the Blue Jay? the Purple Finch? the Chipping Sparrow? 

 the Hummingbird? Grebes? Ducks? Rails? 



9. How does a hen carry its tail? 



10. What characteristic movements of the tail have the Palm Warblers, Hermit 

 Thrush, Flycatchers, Catbirds, and Water-Thrushes? 



11. What part of the Lj^re-bird's tail is elongated? — A. H. W. 



FOR AND FROM YOUNG OBSERVERS 



HOW THE SAPSUCKER REARS ITS YOUNG 



By CLIFTON W. LOVELAND, Ornithologist for R. I. State Board of Agriculture 



During the first three weeks in July, 1914. I had an exceptionally good oppor- 

 tunity to observe the habits of a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and their 

 three young. My observations were made around the shores of Stern's Pond, 

 near Camp Katahdin, in Sweeden, Maine. When my attention was first called 

 to these birds by one of the boys at the camp, the young were barely able to 

 fly. They were feeding on sap from the pits, which the adult birds had made 

 for them on a nearly horizontal branch of a gray birch which overhung the 

 pond. They clung tenaciously to the birch, and would not fly until very closely 



