WOODPFX'KER.S. 



147 



Fig. 59 shows a Scots pine stump attacked by woodpeckers 

 in search of insects. 



The tongue of woodpeckers, owing to its construction, is ex- 

 tremely useful in the search for insects ; it is very long and thin, 

 and is furnished near the tip with a few stiff barbs pointing back- 



Fi.!^. ■')!'. - Scots jiiiio stump visited by \voi)ilpei.k(r<. 

 (Jftcr Altuni.) 



wards. The cornua of the hyoid bones, which support it, curve 

 round the back of the head to its upper surface, terminating in 

 a cavity in the bones of the beak, and their mobihty and great 

 length allow the tongue to be freely extended. The woodpecker 



1/2 Fig. 60 



a Head of woodpecker QPicus canns, Gmel). 

 // Cornua of the hyoid bone. x 

 n Nostril. 



Ear. z 



s Salivary glaud. 



h Tip of tongue with barbed hairs. 

 Opening in the maxilla for 



the cornua. 

 ron<rue. 



darts its tongue into cracks in the bark, using the barbs for 

 detaching the insects, which are captured by adhesion to the 

 slimy surface. The spotted and ground woodpeckers hunt in 



L 2 



