1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 41 



generally furnished on either side with little barbs, very sim- 

 ilar in appearance to those found on small fish-hooks. In 

 the yellow-bellied woodpecker the horns of the hyoid 

 bone extend only to the base of the skull, hence the tongue 

 is capable of but little extensibility; in place of the barbs 

 commonly seen, we find the end quite abundantly provided 

 with " bushy filaments." The peculiar structure of their 

 feet and sharp nails enables them, by the additional support 

 of their rigid tail, to ascend the trunks and limbs of trees 

 with singular address and celerity, either in straight or spiral 

 lines. From " Coues ' Key to North American Birds" the 

 following extract relative to these birds is taken : " Species 

 are abundant in all the wooded portions of this country, and 

 wherever found are nearly resident ; for, although insec- 

 tivorous, they feed principally upon dormant or at least 

 stationary insects, and therefore need not migrate; they are, 

 moreover, hardy birds. They dig insects and their larvae 

 out of trees, and are eminently beneficial to the agriculturist 

 and fruit grower. Contrary to prevalent impression, their 

 boring does not seem to injure fruit trees, which may be 

 riddled with holes without harmful results. The number of 

 noxious insects these birds destroy is simply incalculable ; 

 what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned 

 in the same connection, and they deserve the good will of 

 all. The birds of the genus Sphyrapicus are probably an 

 exception to most of these statements. But woodpeckers 

 also feed largely upon nuts, berries and other fruits ; and 

 those which thus vary their fare to the greatest extent are 

 apt to be more or less migratory, like the common red-head, 

 for example. Woodpeckers rarely if ever climb head down- 

 ward, like nut-hatches, nor are the tarsi applied to their 

 support." 



The notes of these birds, uttered when on the wing, like- 

 wise when at rest, are loud and unmusical. Woodpeckers, 

 with the exception of the flicker, are not usually observed to 

 alight on the ground. Insects which lie under the bark are 

 readily discovered by the woodpecker, who gives a sharp 

 tap with his bill, and then, placing his head close to the tree, 

 listens attentively to hear the movements of his favorite 

 prey. As soon as he discovers a beetle or grub moving in 



