BIRDS AND FORESTS 



These birds know their business, and they perform 

 it to perfection. Every inch of the bark is inspected 

 for traces of the presence of insects. A slight groove, 

 a trace of gnawed wood, a tiny hole in the bark, afford 

 clues which are energetically followed up. Meanwhile 



The tip of a Woodpecker's tongue. 



The tongue of the Woodpecker is round and worm-like. It curves round the 

 base of the skull and over the top. It can be extended for some distance 

 from the end of the bill. It is covered with a sticky mucus, to which 

 insects adhere. Its tip is pointed and barbed. This wonderful tongue 

 is used for picking insects from leaves, twigs, and bark. Also for 

 penetrating the long winding tunnels of wood-boring larvae. The tip of 

 the tongue is driven into the body of the grub, and the barbs prevent the 

 victim from escaping. 



the bird is continually tapping the tree with its beak, 

 and so acutely attuned is its sense of hearing that it 

 knows instantly whether the wood is sound or in a 

 condition of decay. If the latter, it rips off the bark, 

 pecks away the decayed wood, and greedily swallows 

 the borer grubs which have caused the mischief. 1 he 

 cause being removed, the tree recovers. 



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