THE PIE KIND. 197 



of climbing. Their toes stand two forward and 

 two backward, which is particularly serviceable 

 in holding by the branches of trees. They have 

 hard stiff tails to lean upon when climbing. 

 They feed only upon insects, and want that in- 

 testine which naturalists call the ccecum, a cir- 

 cumstance peculiar to this tribe only. 



Of this bird there are many kinds, and many 

 varieties in each kind. They form large colonies 

 in the forests of every part of the world. They 

 differ in size, colour, and appearance ; and agree 

 only in the marks above mentioned, or in those 

 habits which result from so peculiar a conforma- 

 tion. Instead, therefore, of descending into a 

 minute discrimination of every species, let us 

 take one for a pattern, to which all the rest will 

 be found to bear the strongest affinity. Words 

 can but feebly describe the plumage of a bird ; 

 but it is the province of history to enter into a 

 detail of every animal's pursuits and occupations. 



The Green Woodspite or Woodpecker is called 

 the Rain-Fowl in some parts of the country, be- 

 cause, when it makes a greater noise than ordinary, 

 it is supposed to foretell rain. It is about the 

 size of a jay ; the throat, breast, and belly, are of 

 a pale greenish colour ; and the back, neck, and 

 covert feathers of the wings, are green. But 

 the tongue of this little animal makes its most 

 distinguished characteristic, as it serves for its 

 support and defence. As was said above, the 

 woodpecker feeds upon insects ; and particularly 

 on those which are lodged in the body of hollow or 

 of rotting trees. The tongue is its instrument for 



