The Delightful Hobby of Bird Watching [ 61 



WHIPPOORWILLS THE INVISIBLE SINGERS 



Like the mockingbird, the whippoorwill is noted above 

 all else for its voice. While you may frequently hear its call, you 

 will rarely see the bird itself. It usually lives in a river valley or 

 in a meadow if water is nearby, stays close to the ground, and 

 does not become active until the sun goes down. Then it starts to 

 feed on insects during low short flights, between which it gives 

 the oft repeated call whip-poor-WILL, whip-poor-WILL. The 

 bird's brownish plumage makes it practically invisible when it is 

 resting on dry leaves. 



WOODPECKERS GOOD CREEPERS AND CLIMBERS 

 The name of the "redheaded" woodpecker appeals so 

 strongly to children that this bird almost seems to be the out- 

 standing member of the tribe. However, this woodpecker is only 

 one of many: There are at least 375 varieties. The woodpecker 

 is found in all parts of the world except the Australian region 

 and Madagascar. There are twenty-four species in North America. 

 The downy woodpecker which is at home in our woods and 

 parks is probably the most widespread and common. One of the 

 smallest of the family, it is a plain black and white except for the 

 red patch the male wears on the back of its head. It is also one of 

 the friendliest, and an eager visitor at winter feeding stations if 

 you provide suet for it. 



Woodpeckers are well adapted for creeping and climbing, as 

 they have two toes directed forward and two backward to assist 

 them in clinging to an upright surface. The stiff-pointed tail 

 feathers serve as a prop. Their other notable adaptation is the 

 strong sharp bill with which they can chisel away wood to expose 

 grubs. This bird's specialized tongue is also useful: it can be 

 extended some distance and has a horny spearlike tip on which 

 the food is impaled and then drawn into the woodpecker's bill. 



OWLS BIRDS OF THE NIGHT 



Even before a child hears "The Owl and the Pussycat/' 

 his imagination may be captured by this dignified bird. Since 

 owls are creatures of the night they are seldom seen; but their 

 hoots, shrieks, and other distinctive calls often betray their pres- 



