THEIR ECONOMIC KEI.A'IIOXS TO TIIIC A( IklCULTURIST 7 



THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER OR SAPSUCKER. 



The illustration will prove so helpful in enabling one to 

 distinguish between this injurious form and other woodpeckers 

 which are useful that we add these few words, although the species 

 is briefly discussed in Circular 2i2. In striking contrast to other 

 birds whose tongues are extensile for extracting borers from 

 infested trees, the tongue of this species has a somewhat "brush- 

 like" tip. It cannot be protruded to any extent, and is thus 

 modified for an entireh' dififerent diet from that of other members 

 of the same family. That it seriously injures birches, maples, 

 mountain ash, apple, evergreen, and other trees by girdling them 

 with holes in its seeking for sap and cambium goes without say- 

 ing. It may and probably does consume a few insects which are 

 attracted to the bleeding holes, but not in sufficient numbers or of 



