62. Woodpeckers. These birds are admirably adapted to creep and climb up the trunks of trees, for they have two clawed toes extending forward, and two backward, and their tail feathers are so stiffened that they serve as props against the bark when the bird is resting (Fig. 66). The food of the woodpeckers is largely composed of insects, which these birds secure by digging them out of the bark or the wood with their stout, chisel-like bills, and

FIG. 65.-Short-eared owl. (Wright.)

FIG. 66.-Downy woodpecker. (Wright.)

63. Perching birds. This order, as we have said before, contains by far the largest number of species of birds. All these birds are specially adapted for holding to the limbs of trees, since the mechanism of the leg is so arranged that the toes are automatically clutched to the support upon which the bird is sitting. In this group are included practically all of our bird vocalists, hence the perching birds are often called the "song birds." Among the most beautiful of our songsters are the bobolinks (Fig. 67), catbird, and thrushes (Fig. 68).

The young of all the perching birds, for weeks after they are

hatched, are helpless in the nests and are unable to feed themselves. Most of the food of young birds consists of the larvæ of insects and some of the families, e.g. the fly-catchers (Fig. 69), feed upon insect food throughout their life. The sparrow family (Fig. 70), on the other hand, choose largely a diet of seeds. Almost every kind of food, however, is eaten by some of the perching birds.

64. Migration of birds. Some of the birds like the

chickadee and downy woodpecker, remain in the middle and northern United States throughout the year, and hence are known as permanent residents of these regions. Many birds, however, spend the winter

in the warmer regions of the South and in the spring months move northward; some of them, like the robin (Fig. 71) and the bluebird, build their nests, rear their young, and stay all summer in northern and middle United States. Such birds are called summer residents. Still other birds rear their young in Canada

and even farther north,

and come to us only as FIG. 69.- Kingbird. (Courtesy of National

Audubon Society.)

seasonal movement of birds is known as migration. Migration is

FIG. 70.-Tree sparrow. (Courtesy of National Audubon Society.)

G

especially characteristic of the perching birds. For this reason, the birds in this, the highest order, are known as "birds of passage."

65. Field work on birds. - Pupils should become familiar with the size, form, colors, and song of as many birds as possible, and should note carefully where each kind of bird is most commonly found (e.g. in marshes, trees, bushes, or on the ground). In this study bird glasses or opera glasses are very useful. Books like

1 Length of robin from tip of bill to tip of tail feathers, about 10 inches; length of sparrow from tip of bill to tip of tail feathers, about 6 inches..

Chapman's "Bird Life," Wright's "Citizen Bird " and " Birdcraft," Hornaday's "American Natural History," should be frequently consulted. In order to record striking characteristics as a help toward identifying birds, it is suggested that each pupil fill out a table as shown on page 82.

66. Importance of birds to man. Few animals are more beautiful in form and color than are many of our most common birds, and one of the greatest delights of springtime is to greet the return of the bluebirds, tanagers, thrushes, and others of our feathered friends. "To appreciate the beauty of form and plumage of birds, their grace of motion and musical powers, we must know them. . . . Once aware of their existence, and we shall see a bird in every bush and find the heavens their pathway. One moment we may admire the beauty of their plumage, the next marvel at the ease and grace with which they dash by us or circle high overhead. . . . The comings and goings of our migratory birds in springtime and fall, their nest-building and rearing of young, their many regular and beautiful ways as exhibited in their daily lives, stir within us impulses for kindness toward the various creatures which share the world with us.

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But birds will appeal to us most strongly through their song. When your ears are attuned to the music of birds, your world will be transformed. Birds' songs are the most eloquent of Nature's voices: the gay carol of the grosbeak in the morning, the dreamy, midday call of the pewee, the vesper hymn of the thrush, the clanging of geese in springtime, the farewell of the bluebird in the fall, - how clearly each one expresses the sentiment of the hour or season!" Quoted from Bulletin No. 3 of University of Nebraska, and from Chapman's "Bird Life."

The value of birds to man as objects of beauty cannot be measured, it is true, in dollars and cents; but were we to