360 WOODPECKERS. 
strong and sharply hooked, so that the bird can retain a firm hold of the tree 
to which it is clinging while it works away at the bark or wood with its bill. 
The tail, too, is furnished with very stiff and pointed feathers, which are 
pressed against the bark, and form a kind of support on which the bird can 
rest a large proportion of its weight. The breast-bone is not so prominent 
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER.—(P.cus major.) 
as in the generality of flying birds, in order to enable the Woodpecker to press 
its breast closely to the tree; and the beak is long, strong, and sharp. 
These modifications aid the bird in cutting away the wood, but there is yet 
a provision needful to render the Woodpecker capable of seizing the little 
jusects on which it feeds, :nd which lurk in small holes and crannies into 
