39 



its tip, a barbed point, the use of this structure is of course 

 to transfix insects. But in order to allow a sufficient pro- 

 trusion and retraction, the cornua of the os hyoides are 

 elongated backwards and upwards, and slide in a grove of 

 the Cranium. Thus by the surprizing latitude ot motion, 

 which this conformation allows, conjoined also with the 

 elasticity of the root of the tongue, and the peculiar muscles 

 which produce its motions, the bird has the power of darting 

 out for several inches its singular weapon. 



1. MARTIUS. GREAT BLACK WOOD-PECKER. 



P. Niger pileo coccineo. Shaw, 



Bill 2| inches long, of a dark ash colour, and whit- 

 ish at the sides ; the irides are pale yellow ; plumage 

 black, except the crown of the head which is vermi- 

 lion y the two middle tail feathers longer than the 

 rest; the legs are lead coloured, feathered on the 

 fore part half their their length. Latham. 



Var. in some the red crown is wanting. 



The female has only the hind part of the head 

 red. 



She lays 2 or 3 white eggs in the hole of a tree. 



The size of a jack-daw, length 17i inches. 



This bird has a loud note. 



It feeds upon caterpillars. 



