GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. 181 



hair-like feathers extending forwards above each nostril ; the 

 irides straw colour ; the upper surface of the head is covered 

 with feathers that are black at the base, but tipped with rich 

 arterial blood red, forming a cap which reaches to the occi- 

 put ; the whole of the body of the bird, both above and 

 below, the wings and the tail, are of uniform black, of which 

 the under surface of the body is rather more dull in colour 

 than the upper ; the tarsi partly covered with black feathers ; 

 the toes and claws bluish black ; of the two toes directed 

 backwards, the inner toe is only half as long as the outer one; 

 the claws of all the toes greatly curved, strong, and sharp. 



The whole length of the specimen described was sixteen 

 inches. The wing from the carpal joint to the end nine 

 inches : the first feather pointed, and only about two inches 

 in length ; the second feather about five inches long, also 

 pointed, and equal in length to the ninth ; the third shorter 

 than the fourth, fifth, or sixth which are about equal, and the 

 longest in the wing. The two middle feathers of the tail are 

 the longest, the outside feathers the shortest, but all are stiff, 

 and but slightly elastic, the shafts being very thick and strong. 



In the female the crimson colour is confined to the back 

 part of the head, and in young males the top of the head is 

 only spotted with red. 



The figure below represents the character and position of 

 the toes in the Woodpeckers. 



