316 CITIZEN BIRD 



out, a great many insects gather to feed on it — hornets, 

 wasps, spiders, beetles, flies, and other kinds. These 

 the Sapsucker also eats, sweeping them up in the sap 

 with his tongue, which is not barbed like that of other 

 Woodpeckers, but has a little brush on the end of it, 

 shaped something like those we use for cleaning lamp 

 chimneys. In this Avay he can easily lick up great 

 quantities of both sap and insects* You will not ^^rob- 

 ably see him before autumn, for he nests northward 

 from Massachusetts ; but you can write down his table 

 now, and then be on the watch for him." 



The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 



Length about eight and a half inches. 



Upper parts mixed black, white, and dull yellowish ; wings 

 and tail black, with much white on both ; crown scarlet in the 

 male. 



Under parts light yellow on the belly, scarlet on the throat, 

 black on the breast, and with black marks on the sides. 



A Citizen of eastern Xorth America, roving further north than 

 most Woodpeckers and wintering as far south as Central America. 

 A useful bird in wild places, but unwelcome in gardens and or- 

 chards, and not a good neighbor. 



A member only of the guild of Tree Trappers. 



" I wonder if I shall see tlie little Downy," said 

 Dodo, as she skipped down the road to the woods 

 between her uncle and Nat. 



"Don't hop so," said Nat; ''it doesn't do at all 

 when you are bird-hunting. Rap says you must go 

 quietly, and not swing your arms either, ' for it 

 frightens birds more than even a scarecrow." 



" It is very hard to keep still when you are bursting 

 with hurry to get somewhere," answered Dodo very 



