80 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 



There are other points in our feathered carpenter's, 

 structure, however, about the usefuhiess of which 

 no doubt can exist. His stifE wiry tail, which is neve*^ 

 cocked up as it is by other birds, is a most admirable- 

 prop to support him as he clings vertically to the 

 tree, and his hard chisel-tipped beak contains a most 

 curious tongue, long and worm-hke, and armed with, 

 a many-barbed homy tip. This he can shoot out 

 with great faciUty to some distance, as its base is- 

 supported by a pair of bony springs ; and altogether 

 it is an admirable instrument for exploring crevices 

 and persuading any grub which may lie hid therein, 

 to come Out to dinner. 



It is also useful in enabling the bird to lick up the 

 juice of soft fruit, though whether this forms part of 

 his diet in a wild state I cannot say. Probably it does, 

 as it seems very acceptable in captivity, a condition 

 to which this species is readily reconciled — at any 

 rate if taken young. A young Woodpecker, indeed, 

 makes a very interesting pet in several ways. Like a 

 young barbet, it possesses a warty pad on the hocks,, 

 and shufiSes about thereon for some time, not getting 

 really on to its feet till it is full-fledged. It is not 

 till then, too, that the curious arrow tip of the tongue 

 is fully developed — ^this being at first devoid of barbs. 

 The first plumage, however, which springs from a. 

 skin unclothed by any baby-garment of down, is just 



