THE WOODPECKER. 113 



the back, and white underneath ; the lower mandible 

 being yellow. t The black billed Cuckoo does not dif- 

 fer materially in colour or size from this ; but both 

 mandibles are black. Both these birds are common 

 in this country. 



THE WOODPECKER. 



The Woodpeckers are a tribe of birds which differ 

 in their manners and habits from all others. They live 

 chiefly on worms and other insects, which they obtain 

 by pecking holes in decayed trees. Their tongues are 

 long, sharp, bony at the end, and barbed ; forming an 

 instrument, by means of which they draw the worms 

 out of the crevices of the wood. They lay their eggs 

 in hollow trees, or in holes which they make for them- 

 selves. Their toes are placed, two backwards, and 

 two forward ; and their tails consist of ten sharp point- 

 ed feathers. 



IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 



How large is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker? 



The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is twenty inches long 

 and two feet and a half in extent. 



What is the shape of this bird? 



The form and appearance of this bird, are very stri- 

 king and beautiful. His neck is elegantly curved ; his 

 head is crowned with a noble crest, more than two 

 inches high ; his bill is smooth and white, like polished 



11 



