CLIMBING BIRDS. 163 



The Toucan seems to be omnivorous, but is very fond of 

 mice and small birds, which it kills by a powerful squeeze 

 of its bill. When sleeping, it takes special care of its 

 bill, packing it away among its feathers, so that the bird 

 presents the appearance of a great feathery ball. 



267. The Woodpeckers, so appropriately named, are 

 widely diffused, being found in all quarters of the globe 

 except Australia. There are eight species in this coun- 

 try. They live on insects and grubs, which they bore for 

 in the bark and wood of trees. In Fig. 134 you have the 

 attitude of the Woodpecker as he bores. The bill is 



Fig. 134. Woodpecker. 



long, sharp, and stout ; and with his powerful feet he 

 holds on firmly, while he drives in his bill with all the 

 force which his body can give to it. The sound produced 

 by this operation is very much like that of a watchman's 

 rattle. When an insect or grub is reached by this bor- 

 ing, it is drawn out by the tongue, which is specially 

 adapted to do this. It is very long, and its sharp point 

 is barbed with several filaments, and has upon it a gum- 



