THE GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. 
619 
corners of the beak are furnished with cartilaginous 
lumps, which later on form a part of that powerful tool, 
and disappear as it becomes further developed. They 
can cling to a tree before they can stand, and climb 
before they can fly. If left undisturbed they remain in 
the nest until able to take wing, but climb about nimbly 
enough inside, often peering out of the entrance of the 
hole. The old birds bring them up solely on ants ’ eggs, 
and continue to feed and look after them for a long 
time. 
When caught early the young birds can be tamed and 
kept in confinement, if well supplied with ants’ eggs, and 
such food as you would give to a Nightingale. They are 
very interesting pets, though they do not possess the 
versatility of the smaller members of their tribe. They 
live on good terms with their cousins, but this is 
probably due to their being able to lord it over them. As 
soon as their childhood, if we may so term it, is over, 
they begin to use their beaks with effect, so that it is 
necessary that their cage be made strong enough to 
resist their destructive efforts. They soon become so 
used to their custodian that they will carry on all their 
operations in his presence, and afford him ample oppor¬ 
tunity to watch them when climbing, and to observe the 
wonderful mobility of their tongue. 
The pursuit and trapping of the Great Black Wood¬ 
pecker have their difficulties, inasmuch as this bird has 
learnt to look upon man as the most to be dreaded 
of all its enemies. It not unfrequently happens that it 
is captured on the nest while sitting, but to get within 
gunshot of the creature is a very difficult matter. This is, 
we may say, fortunate indeed, for this very useful bird has 
troubles enough without being shot. Wild cats, martens 
4 N 
