BIRDS. 
14? 
THE RED -HEADED WOODPECKER. 
115. There are many different species of the 
Woodpecker, but the one named above is the best 
known in this country. 
116. He is readily distinguished by the bright 
redness of the plumage on his head, which beauti- 
fully contrasts with the fine black of the upper part, 
and the delicate white of the lower part of his body. 
117. His bill, like the others of the species, is 
straight, strong, and angular, and, at the end, some- 
what wedge-shaped, for the purpose of boring trees. 
He has very strong claws, by means of which he 
clings to the perpendicular body of a tree, and, lean- 
ing upon the hard, stiff, and sharp-pointed feathers 
of his tail, he bores the wood with his powerful beak. 
118. It is a mistaken notion that he injures trees, 
for he never strikes but a solitary stroke upon live 
wood, instinct teaching him that he will look in vain 
for the food, of which he is in search, there ; but 
spends his strength upon that which is dead and de- 
caying, and which forms the habitations of the in- 
sects upon which he lives. 
What kind of Woodpecker is best known in this country ? How 
is the Red Headed Woodpecker distinguished? Describe his bill 
claws, and tail. What is said about his injuring trees ? 
