Order III. SCANSORES. 
Family TTT. Picid^. 
The third Siibfaniily, 
PICINiE, or Woodpeckers, 
have the Bill more or less long, broad at the base, much compressed towards the tip, which is 
truncated ; the sides of the upper mandible sloping, and furnished with a lateral ridge, that springs 
from the middle at the base, gradually bends towards the lateral margin, and then extends above it to 
the tip •■ the outer posterior Toe generally longer than the outer anterior toe. 
PicoiDES Lacep.* 
Bill shorter than the head, straight ; the base broader than high, and covered with projecting feathers; 
the sides compressed towards the tip, which is rather pointed; the gonys lengthened, and advancing 
upwards. Wings moderate and pointed, with the second, third, and fourth quills the longest. Tail 
moderate, wedge-shaped, and rigid. Tarsi as long as the anterior outer toe, and partly covered with 
feathers. Toes short and nearly equal ; the outer posterior toe longer than the anterior one ; the inner 
posterior toe wanting ; the claws long, much compressed, and curved. 
These birds inhabit the forests of the northern parts of both hemispheres. They prefer the pines and spruce firs, on 
the trunks and branches of which they seek in the decayed parts for insects in thcu* various stages. They sometimes 
feed on seeds and berries. The eggs are laid in holes formed by the birds in the trunks of the trees. Tliey arc usually 
four to six irt number. 
1. V. tridactyliis (Linn.) Werner's Atlas to Temm. Man. pi. — 3. V, hlrsutus (Vieill.) Ois. d'Amer. Sept. t. 124. — Picus tri- 
Picoides europscus Less. ; P. crissolcucos Brandt. dactyliis Rich. Sf Sw. Faun. Bor. Amer. pi. 5G. ; P. undulatus 
2. V. arcticiis {\\\ch. Si Sw.) Faun. Bor. Amer. pi. ,')7. — Picus Vieill. 
tridactylus Pr, Bonap. Amer. Orn. pi. 14. f. 2. 
Picus Linn.-f 
Bill moderate, the base equally broad as high, the sides sloping, and beneath the lower mandible 
rounded ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and hidden by the strong projecting bristles. Wings rather short 
and pointed, with the fourth quill the longest. Tail lengthened and rounded. Tarsi shorter than the 
anterior outer toe. Toes unequal, with the anterior outer one shorter than the outer posterior toe ; the 
inner posterior toe short ; the claws strong and curved. 
The birds that compose this genus are found in most parts of the world, in some places migrating from the north to 
the south, and vice versa, according to the season. They frequent the forests, woods, and orchards, and are observed 
* Kstablishrd by Lacejjede between 1800 and 1801. Tridactylin of Shaw (1815) and Apternus of Mr. Swainson (IS.Sl) are coequal, 
t Linnipus established this genus in 17.'^.^. Dn/ohalcs of M. Boie (1826) is coequal. 
