282 
BIRD-LIFE. 
our workman’s most important implements. The tail is 
composed of ten feathers, and is pointed ; its construction 
is as follows :—the two middle tail-feathers are the longest 
and strongest; their shafts terminate abruptly in a point 
and act as springs; the rays of the web are in close 
contact one with the other near the shaft, but are 
separated at their ends ; they are stiff and hooked; they 
deviate from their original direction, turning downwards 
on either side, so that the feather very much resembles 
the roof of a house, the shaft or quill representing the 
the ridge. Under this roof lie the second middle 
feathers, which are constructed in exactly the same 
manner ; under these, again, the third and fourth pairs, 
which still resemble the second middle in structure, 
and it is only the fifth, or outside pair, which is 
constructed in the usual manner; this, however, is 
covered by one of the tail-coverts, which is so stiff that it 
may be looked upon as adapted for steering purposes. 
Attached to the short tarsi we find four, rarely three, 
long powerful toes; in the first case, one of them is 
a reversible one, capable of being turned either back¬ 
wards or forwards, according to the will of the bird. 
Each of these toes is furnished with a strong sharply-curved 
nail. Looking upon the Woodpecker as a climbing bird, 
the appropriate construction of both its tail and feet is 
self-evident. It can, by means of its feet, so sharply shod 
and capable of grasping a considerable surface, suspend 
itself without exertion to a perpendicular trunk, the tail 
preventing it from sliding downwards. When the bird 
props itself in this manner, not only the points of the 
eight principal feathers are pressed against the stem, but 
each individual ray of the three middle feathers does the 
same, so that, by reason of their great number, even the 
