182 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 



back black, divided by a broad lateral strip of white, the feathers com- 

 posing which are loose and unwebbed, resembling hairs, whence its 

 name ; rump and shoulders of the wing, black ; wings black, tipped and 

 spotted with white, three rows of spots being visible on the secondaries, 

 and five on the primaries ; greater wing-coverts also spotted with white ; 

 tail as in the others, cuneiform, consisting of ten strong-shafted and 

 pointed feathers, the four middle ones black, the next partially white, 

 the two exterior ones white, tinged at the tip with a brownish burnt 

 color ; tail-coverts black ; whole lower side pure white ; legs, feet and 

 claws, light blue, the latter remarkably large and strong ; inside of the 

 mouth flesh-colored ; tongue pointed, beset with barbs, and capable of 

 being protruded more than an inch and a half; the os hyoides, in this 

 species, pass on each side of the neck, ascend the skull, pass down 

 toward the nostril, and are wound round the bone of the right eye, 

 which projects considerably more than the left for its accommodation. 

 The great mass of hairs, that cover the nostril, appears to be designed 

 as a protection to the front of the head, when the bird is engaged in 

 digging holes into the wood. The membrane, which encloses the brain, 

 in this, as in all the other species of Woodpeckers, is also of extraordinary 

 strength, no doubt to prevent any bad efl'ects from violent concussion, 

 while the bird is employed in digging for food. The female wants the 

 red on the hind-head ; and the white below is tinged with brownish. 

 The manner of flight of these birds has been already described, under a 

 foi'mer species, as consisting of alternate risings and sinkings. The 

 Hairy Woodpeckers generally utter a loud tremulous scream, as they 

 set off", and when they alight. They are hard to kill, and, like the Red- 

 headed Woodpecker, hang by the claws, even of a single foot, as long as 

 a spark of life remains, before they drop. 



This species is common at Hudson's Bay ; and has lately been found 

 in England. Dr. Latham examined a pair, which were shot near Halifax, 

 in Yorkshire ; and on comparing the male with one brought from North 

 America, could perceive no difference, but in a slight interruption of 

 the red that marked the hind-head of the former ; a circumstance which 

 I have frequently observed in our own. The two females corresponded 

 exactly. 



