12 G NATURAL niSTORY 
WOOD-PECKER. 
The Wood-Peckcr is called the Rain 
Fowl in some parts of the country, because, 
when it makes a greater noise than ordinary, 
it is supposed to foretell rain. It is about 
the size of a jay; the throat, breast, and 
belly, arc of a pale greenish colour; and the 
back, neck, and covert feathers of the wings 
arc green. These birds live chiefly upon 
the insects contained in trees; and for this 
{ nirposc they are furnished with a straight, 
iard, strong, and sharp bill, made for piercing 
and boring. They have a tongue of a veiv 
great length, round, ending in a sharp, still, 
bony thorn, to strike ants and insects, when 
dislodged from their cells. Their legs arc 
short and strong, for the purpose of climbing- 
Their toes stand two forward, and two back- 
ward; which are particularly serviceable id 
holding by branches of trees. 
