THE WOODPECKER. 
63 
by brandies of trees. They have hard stiff tails to lean 
upon when dimbing. They feed only upon insects, and 
■Want that intestine, which anatomists call the ccecum ; a 
circumstance peculiar to this tribe only. 
Of this bird there are more than fifty species with many 
varieties. They form large colonies in the forests of every 
part of the world. They are found from the size of a jack- 
daw to that of a wren, and differ greatly in colour and ap- 
pearance ; and agreeing only in the marks above-mentioned, 
or in those habits which result from so peculiar a conforma- 
tion. There are about five species known to Europe, or at 
least in England, viz. the large Blade Woodpecker, which 
is seventeen inches long, and is found in Germany ; the 
Green, and three species of spotted. The Green Wood- 
spite, or Woodpecker, is called the Rain Fowl in some 
parts of the country; because, when it makes a greater noise 
than ordinary, it is supposed to foretel rain. It is about the 
s ‘ze of a jay, and weighs six ounces ; the throat, breast and 
belly are of a pale greenish colour; and the back, neck and 
covert feathers of the wings are full green. The Great 
spotted Woodpecker weighs about three ounces, and is the 
size of a black-bird, and nine inches in length. The crown 
°f the head is black, with a bar of crimson on the hind part 
®f it. On each side of the neck is a spot of white, the sca- 
pulars and wing coverts are white. The back and wings 
are black, and the breast is yellowish grey, lhe Middle 
spotted Woodpecker nearly resembles the preceding, 
but is smaller; and the Lesser spotted Woodpecker is 
Scarcely an ounce in weight, and has the upper parts of the 
body mottled with white. All these species feed upon insects, 
a ud particularly on those which are found in decaying trees. 
The woodpecker, however, does not confine its depreda- 
tions solely to trees, but sometimes lights upon the ground, 
to try its fortune at an ant-hill. It first goes to theii hills, 
'vhieh it pecks, in order to call them abroad; it then thrusts 
°ut its long red tongue, which being like a worm, and re- 
sembling their usual prey, the ants come out to settle upon 
*t in great numbers ; however, the bird watching the most 
P'oper opportunity, withdraws its tongue at a jerk, and de- 
murs them. This stratagem it continues till it has alarmed 
then- fears, or till it is quite satisfied. 
As the woodpecker is obliged to make holes in trees to 
procure food, so it is also to make cavities still larger to form 
’ts nest and to lay in. This is performed, as usual, with the 
’'d ; although some have affirmed that the animal uses ita 
l0n gue, as a gimblet, to bore with. But this is a mistake; 
