XII 



THE WOODPECKER'S TOOLS : HIS FOOT 



WE have studied the woodpecker's bill and 

 have found that it is a very serviceable tool. We 

 shall find that his feet are equally well adapted 

 to their work. 



Here is the foot of a woodpecker. Observe 

 how it differs from a chicken's foot y 

 or a sparrow's foot. What is it 

 that especially fits it for climbing ? 

 Perhaps you will notice that the 

 tarsus is short, and you may be able 

 to explain why it would be a dis- 

 advantage for a climbing bird to Foot of Wood- 

 have long legs, as well as why it is 

 a help for him to have long toes. Toes long 

 and legs short is the rule with the woodpeckers. 



I never see a woodpecker's foot without think- 

 ing of an iceman's nippers with their short 

 handles and long, sharp-toothed jaws. They are 

 designed for similar, uses, to lift heavy weights 

 by laying hold of smooth, flat surfaces. The 

 iceman sets his nippers into the ice and lifts the 



