6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



The presence of the Woodpecker is spoken of in the 

 following terms by the authors of " The Lays of the Deer- 

 Forest " (vol. ii. p. 2 5 8), with special reference to the Forest 

 of Tarnaway — 



" The Northern Woodpecker comes to breed in the spring, and 

 remains until the decline of summer. Many of the old dead firs 

 are pierced with its holes, of which it generally has two or three for 

 escape, so that it is very difficult to surprise it on its nest. This 

 beautiful bird is not, we believe, to be seen farther south than the 

 pine-woods of the Spey. It is about the size of a thrush ; its wings 

 and body pied with black and white ; the head a deep velvet sable, 

 with a snow-white line above and a scarlet mark behind the eyes ; the 

 breast of a light colour, turning into crimson towards the tail." 



Elsewhere, in the same volume, the authors speak of " the 

 strange mysterious tap of the Northern Woodpecker " {loc. cit. 



P- 2 5 5)- 



The evidence given by Mr. Booth (" Rough Notes," vol. i.), 



who spent much time amongst the great old pine woods of 



Spey, and had the best opportunities of research when there, 



are worth reproducing. He says — 



" The remains of the old timber in the valley of the Spey, and 

 in many other parts of Inverness and the adjoining counties, indicate 

 that Woodpeckers were formerly numerous in those districts. . . . 

 On some of the largest and oldest trees I have counted from twenty 

 to thirty holes bored right into the centre of the stem. According 

 to the statements of my informants, it appears that these Wood- 

 peckers commenced to decrease in numbers about 1845 or I ^5°- 

 In many parts of the country only an occasional straggler was seen 

 for nearly 30 years. I discovered, however, in passing through 

 several of these localities in 1878 and 1879, that a few pairs had 

 lately taken up their quarters in their long-deserted haunts. The 

 cause of their disappearance in the first instance was perfectly 

 unaccountable to all those with whom I conversed on the subject. 

 ... In the Highlands (though few nests now occupied have come 

 under my observation) I noticed this bird breeding in Scotch fir and 

 birch. Elm and oak appear most frequently resorted to in the more 

 southern counties ; but I have also met with broods in several 

 varieties of fruit-trees, as well as willow and fir. The last nest I 

 examined was in a remarkably high Scotch fir in one of the Sussex 

 forests." 



Mr. Booth then makes mention of the visitation by a large 



