BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA 
165 
to the base of the skull, hence the tongue is capable of but little extensibility; in 
place ot the barbs commonly seen, we find the end quite abundantly provided with 
‘•numerous bushy filaments.” The peculiar structure of their feet and sharp nails 
enable them by the additional support of the rigid tail, to ascend the trunks and 
limbs of trees with singular address and celerity, either in straight or spiral lines. 
From Coues’ Key to North American Birds”—a most valuable work and one 
which deservesa place in the library of all who desire to thoroughly acquaint them¬ 
selves with our feathered fauna—the following extract relative to these birds is taken : 
•* Species are abundant in all the wooded portion of this country and wherever found 
are nearly resident. For, although insectivorous, they feed principally upon dor¬ 
mant or at least stationary insects, and therefore need not migrate ; they are, more¬ 
over, hardy birds. They dig insects and their larvae out of trees, and are eminently 
beneficial to the agriculturist and fruit-grower. Contrary to prevalent impression, 
their boring does not seem to injure fruit trees, which may be riddled with holes 
without harmful results. The number of noxious insects these birds destroy is 
simply incalculable ; what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned in 
the same connection, and they deserve the good will of all. The birds of the genus 
Sphyrapicus are probably an exception to most of these statements. But wood¬ 
peckers also feed largely upon nuts, berries and other fruits ; and those which thus 
vary their fare to the greatest extent are apt to be more or less migratory, like the 
common Red-head for example. Woodpeckers rarely, if ever, climb head down¬ 
ward, like Nuthatches, nor are the tarsi applied to their support.” 
The notes of tlmse birds, uttered when on the wing, likewise when at rest, are 
loud and unmusical. Woodpeckers, with the exception of the Flicker, are not 
usually observed to alight on the ground. Insects which lie under the bark are 
readily discovered by the Avoodpecker, who gives a sharp tap Avith his bill, and then 
placing his head close to the tree, listens attentively to hear the movements of his 
favorite prey. As soon as he discovers a beetle or a grub moving in its snug retreat 
the bark or other coA^ering of the luckless insect is torn aAvay and the crawling crea¬ 
ture is captured. 
The large chisel-like bill, the stiff tail-leathers, which gradually taper to a point, 
the two toes in front and tAvo behind (birds of the genus Picoides have hallux or first 
toe absent) Avill suffice to enable you to recognize a woodpecker. Tail-feathers 12 in 
number, the outer pair very small and hidden by the larger. 
Genus DRYOBATES Boie. 
Dryobates villosus ('Linn.). 
Hairy Woodpecker; Sapsucker. 
Description ( Plate 76). 
Length about 9| inches ; extent about 15 ; male has hind head red ; female has no 
red. Top of head, sides of same, and back black, the latter Avith a long whitish 
stripe ; quills and wing-coverts Avith numerous Avhite spots ; four middle tail feath¬ 
ers black, next partly black, and four outer feathers white; beloAv white; young 
duller and top of head, especially in front, reddish or bronzy. 
Habitat. —Middle portion of the eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast to 
the great plains. 
The Hairy Woodpecker is found in Pennsylvania at all seasons of the 
year. It is quite plentiful, but in many sections, and probably through¬ 
out the state, is less abundant than the Downy Woodpecker. The 
Hairy Woodpeckers, generally shy and somewhat difficult to approach, 
are found mostly in the woods, and although they sometimes when in 
