The Farmer's Feathered Helpers 229 



numerous. The swallows, swifts, and nighthawks (Fig. Birds that 

 178) are particularly well fitted to capture insects flying *&f^/" on 

 in the open air. Their quick motion, rapid, darting tree trunks; 

 flight, and wide, gaping mouth give them success in the branches 

 the air. The woodpecker, with his chisel-like beak, 

 powerful neck muscles, grasping claws for holding to 

 the bark of a tree, and stiff tail feathers, which help to 

 brace him in position for work, is well equipped for 

 destroying the boring insect foes of trees (Fig. 181). 

 The little wren creeps about in hidden holes and crevices 

 where insects would be overlooked by other birds. The 

 brown creeper (Fig. 182), scrambling ' over the trunks 

 and branches of trees, can see and capture tiny in- 

 sects and eggs that would not be noticed by a less 

 careful and observing bird. The oriole works among 

 the branches of trees, the meadow lark works on the 



San Diego Society Nat. Htst. 



FIG. 182. Head, tail (under side), and foot of the Western creeper. The 

 creepers hunt their food in places that other birds cannot well explore. 



