TREE-TRUNK BIRDS 191 
hook. Its most valuable work is as an ant-eater, and as 
one of the Wise Men says: ‘This bird is more of an ant- 
eater than a Woodpecker. It may be seen in fields and 
open spaces, in woods and orchards, where it strikes its 
long bill into ant-hills, and then thrusts out its still longer 
tongue coated with sticky saliva and licks up the out- 
rushing ants by the dozen. Many kinds of ants are 
decidedly harmful, as they attend, protect, and help to 
spread plant-root, or bark-lice, which are among the 
greatest enemies of garden plants, also shrubs and trees. 
These lice the ants keep as cows to nourish their young 
with green, sappy milk. Ants also infest houses and 
destroy timber.’ 
“Some people complain that the Flicker bores holes 
in the attics of houses, and also under eaves when search- 
ing for nesting-places, and also for winter shelter. This 
is true, doubtless, but as the Nuthatch told me that my 
cornice was decayed and needed mending, so the work- 
ing of a Flicker about any building should be a warning 
to the owner to look and see if repairs are not needed. 
“Our neighbour, Mr. Burwood, the florist, on the next 
hill, who, in spite of the fact that he must keep his eyes 
indoors on the splendid carnations and roses he grows, 
still has a glance or two to spare for the birds, told me, 
not long ago, this story of a Flicker. It was in early 
spring, and he was thinking of turning the water into a 
great covered tank, mounted on high trestles, that sup- 
plies water for the houses, that had been empty all winter; 
in fact, he had given the men orders so to do. Early in 
the morning he heard a vigorous tapping high up in the 
air, and tried in vain to locate it. The next morning, the 
