122 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



flicker, which stand nearly at its extremes. A single genus 

 is characterized by the tongue, thus differing from the ordi- 

 nary Pici, which have the horns of the tongue produced 

 posteriorly, as slender jointed bony rods, which curve over 

 the cranium behind, and pass between the skin and bone. 

 to the eyes, and even, in some instances, further. These bonv 

 rods are enfolded in highly specialized muscles, by \\ hose- 

 action the tongue is protruded several inches beyond the bill. 

 In Sphyrapicus, this is not the case ; the hvoid bone does 

 not reach beyond the base of the skull, and, in consequence, 

 the tongue is but a trifle more extensible than in other birds. 

 In this species, the tongue is rather closely studded with 

 many bushy filaments, in the place of the sharp barbs which 

 commonly exist. 



In the majority of species, the bill is perfectly straight. 

 with a stout and expanded base which tapers uniformly to a 

 flattened and vertical tip which is truncate ; it is chisel-like, 

 and strengthened by acute ridges on sides of upper mandible. 

 The nostrils are concealed by thick tufts of antrorse feathers. 

 In others, the flicker for example, the bill is smooth, and but 

 slightly curved ; tip acute, and nostrils, open and exposed. 

 The claws are invariably large, much curved and sharp. 

 The feet are not peculiarly striking, except in the three-toed 

 genus Picoides. The wings are remarkable for the brevitv 

 of their coverts, which is an exceptional feature in the Pica- 

 rice, and also for the shortness of the first primary, which 

 might with propriety be considered spurious. The tail is 

 furnished with, stiff quills for supporting the bird against a 

 tree, and with highly developed muscles w r hich are attached 

 to a large and peculiarly shaped bone called the vomer. 



Unlike the Sittidcc, these birds rarely suspend themselves 

 head-downward ; nor do they ever support themselves by 

 means of the tarsi. They are highly insectivorous, and quite 

 hardy birds. They nest in holes which they excavate to 

 great depths, at infinite pains and labor; and lay rounded, 

 pure white eggs. Their voice is loud and harsh, and incap- 



