BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 165 



to the base of the skull, hence the tongue is capable of but little extensibility ; in 

 place of the barbs commonly seen, we find the end quite abundantly provided with 

 "numerous bushy filaments." The peculiar structure of their feet and sharp nails 

 enable them by the additional support of the rigid tail, to ascend the trunks and 

 limbs of trees with singular address and celerity, either in straight or spiral lines. 

 From 'Cones' Key to North American Birds" a most valuable work and one 

 which deserves a place in the library of all who desire to thoroughly acquaint them- 

 selves with our feathered fauna the following extract relative to these birds is taken : 

 "Species are abundant in all the wooded portion of this country and wherever found 

 are nearly resident. For, although insectivorous, they feed principally upon dor- 

 mant or at least stationary insects, and therefore need not migrate ; they are, more- 

 over, hardy birds. They dig insects and their larvae out of trees, and are eminently 

 beneficial to the agriculturist and fruit-grower. Contrary to prevalent impression, 

 their boring does not seem to injure fruit trees, which may be riddled with holes 

 without harmful results. The number of noxious insects these birds destroy is 

 simply incalculable ; what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned in 

 the same connection, and they deserve the good will of all. The birds of the genus 

 Sphyrapicus are probably an exception to most of these statements. But wood- 

 peckers also feed largely upon nuts, berries and other fruits ; and those which thus 

 vary their fare to the greatest extent are apt to be more or less migratory, like the 

 common Red-head for example. Woodpeckers rarely, if ever, climb head down- 

 ward, like Nuthatches, nor are the tarsi applied to their support." 



The notes of these birds, uttered when on the wing, likewise when at rest, are 

 loud and unmusical. Woodpeckers, with the exception of the Flicker, are not 

 usually observed to alight on the ground. Insects which lie under the bark are 

 readily discovered by the woodpecker, who gives a sharp tap with his bill, and then 

 placing his head close to the tree, listens attentively to hear the movements of his 

 favorite prey. As soon as he discovers a beetle or a grub moving in its snug retreat 

 the bark or other covering of the luckless insect is torn away and the crawling crea- 

 ture is captured. 



The large chisel-like bill, the stiff tail-feathers, which gradually taper to a point, 

 the two toes in front and two behind (birds of the genus Picoides have hallux or first 

 toe absent) will suffice to enable you to recognize a woodpecker. Tail-feathers 12 in 

 number, the outer pair very small and hidden by the larger. 



GENUS DRYOBATES BOIE. 

 Dryobates villosus ( LINN.). 



Hairy Woodpecker ; Sapsucker. 



DESCRIPTION {Plate 76). 



Length about 9| inches ; extent about 15 ; male has hind head red ; female has no 

 red. Top of head, sides of same, and back black, the latter with a long whitish 

 stripe ; quills and wing-coverts with numerous white spots ; four middle tail feath- 

 ers black, next partly black, and four outer feathers white ; below white ; young 

 duller and top of head, especially in front, reddish or bronzy. 



Habitat. Middle portion of the eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast to 

 the great plains. 



The Hairy Woodpecker is found in Pennsylvania at all seasons of the 

 year. It is quite plentiful, but in many sections, and probably through- 

 out the state, is less abundant than the Downy Woodpecker. The 

 Hairy Woodpeckers, generally shy and somewhat difficult to approach, 

 are found mostly in the woods, and although they sometimes when in 



