CURE FOR GAPES IN POULTRY, ETC. 135 



its strength being greater, is better able to work 

 through the harder portions of wood which 

 frequently cover those limbs of a tree that are 

 internally decayed ; but all three birds construct 

 their nests if nests they can be called by 

 boring a hole through the rotten wood and 

 laying their eggs in the hollow of the trunk, 

 when, as is often the case, a suitable hole is 

 at hand ready-made. The tails of woodpeckers 

 are stiff and pointed, enabling them to support 

 themselves when clinging to the bark of trees 

 in their search for food. The tail of the wry- 

 neck, which bird very closely resembles that of 

 the woodpecker in shape and habits, is not 

 furnished with these stiff feathers, nor does it 

 procure its food in precisely the same manner. 

 The woodpecker inserts its beak into the crevices 

 of the bark and extracts the insects with its 

 tongue, which is sharp, horny, and well adapted 

 for the purpose ; whereas the wryneck projects 

 its tongue beyond its beak. The tongue of both 

 birds is covered with a glutinous substance which 

 enables them to extract the insects upon which 

 they feed. The tongue of the woodpecker is 

 frequently used by keepers for the purpose of 

 extracting the worms which, congregating in the 

 throats of chickens and young pheasants, are the 

 cause of the disease known as ' gapes,' and to 

 which these birds are very subject in wet seasons. 

 Apropos of which, I may as well mention that I 

 have found that a drop or two of camphorated oil 



