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pointed at the ends somewhat like the head of a spear. The tail- 
feathers on either side are also spear-headed, so that when the 
tail is expanded like a lady's fan it forms a most admirable prop, 
by means of which the bird supports himself as he climbs up the 
Fig, a.— tail of woodpeckf,}?. 
sides of the tree. Whereas the claws of the foAvl are made to 
scratch in the earth, or the claws of the eagle for seizing its 
prey, we find that the claws of the woodpecker are so 
sharply curved that they form half a circle. Fig. B. The points 
