BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



length and wedge-like form, for perforating the bark of 

 trees, and its tongue, which is of great length and barbed 

 at the point, can be protruded beneath the bark or into the 

 crevices of decayed trees, where, if it does not transfix the 

 insects which shelter there, it secures them by means of a 

 viscid glue with which it is covered. The rigid and pointed 

 character of the tail-feathers renders them an important aid 

 to the bird when ascending the trunks of trees. The fol- 

 lowing ingenious and reasonable defence of the Woodpecker 

 from an apparently unjust charge, is from the pen of Mr. 

 Waterton. " The proprietors of woods in Europe/' remarks 

 this writer, ' ' have long accused him of injuring their tim- 

 ber, by boring holes in it and letting in the water, which 

 soon rots it. The colonists in America have the same com- 

 plaint against him. Had he the power of speech which 

 Ovid's birds possessed in days of yore, he could soon make 

 a defence. ' Mighty lord of the woods/ he would say to 

 man, ' why do you wrongfully accuse me ? why do you hunt 

 me up and down to death for an imaginary offence ? I have 

 never spoiled a leaf of your property, much less your wood. 

 Your merciless shot strikes me at the very time I am doing 

 you a service ; but your short-sightedness will not let you 

 see it, or your pride is above examining closely the actions 



