RESIDENT BIRDS IN OUR NORTHERN STATES 263 



Let us see now how the hairy woodpecker is adapted to 

 the life it leads. A woodpecker's foot differs from that of 

 a sparrow by having two toes pointed forward and two 

 backward. The toes are provided with long, curved claws, 

 by means of which they can hold very firmly to the bark of 

 trees. Our woodpecker generally begins to examine a tree 



FIG. 52. HAIRY WOODPECKER. 



quite low on the trunk and then travels upwards. Were he 

 to climb downwards also, he would have to depend entirely 

 on his feet, but when going up he uses the stout feathers of 

 his short tail as a kind of rest or brace. 



His food. He does not examine the trees for fun, but 

 is hunting insects. His strong beak enables him to break 



Visit a collection of mounted North American mammals, if such collec- 

 tion is within your reach. 



