228 



Nature-Study Agriculture 



W. T. Shilling 



FIG. 181. Acorns stored by a woodpecker in holes drilled in dead wood. 

 Only one species does this the California woodpecker. 



To every 

 bird its 

 work 



have great power of digestion, disposing of a meal in 

 about half the time that is required by other animals. 

 It is because of their voracious appetites that birds are 

 able to free our orchards, gardens, and fields from 

 insect pests (Fig. 180). 



There is such a variety of birds, each kind finding its 

 food in a little different way, that much more good is 

 accomplished than could be done by one kind, however 



