THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 83 



grow where other trees are thick enough to give it 

 cover. 



Hazel {Cory his avellana). — Very seldom does this tree 

 grow a stem of a diameter sufficient to contain a bore. I 

 only once found it used by Woodpeckers. They excavated 

 a very symmetrical boring in a broken stump six or seven 

 feet from the ground, but were evicted from their home by 

 Starlings before they could breed. 



Beech (Fagits sylvaticd). — This tree is a decided favourite 

 with the bird. But as dead branches of the Beech qenerally 

 occur at a considerable height from the ground, the nest 

 often escapes notice till the young birds attract attention 

 by their ceaseless calling. 



Silver Fir {Abies pectinatd). — Not commonly used. I 

 have not seen more than two instances myself, though 

 I have heard of others. 



Scots Pine {Pinus syhestiis). — In my experience the 

 commonest tree for this bird to bore and nest in. In this 

 tree, the dead wood suitable for boring in is generally even 

 higher up than in the case of the Beech, and so it is Very 

 difficult to get a sight of the nest. I do not assert that this 

 tree is the Woodpecker's favourite, but as there are so many 

 more Scotch Firs in the south of Scotland than any other 

 tree, there are far more nesting-sites offered by this species. 



Let me add in conclusion, that I have only known two 

 instances of this Woodpecker going back to the exact same 

 nesting-hole the next year, though it will return to the same 

 tree again and again, provided it can get wood enough in 

 a condition fit for boring. 



In the above, I have only drawn from my own experience 

 in Scotland. I could have added other trees had I quoted 

 what others have told me — and had I given my own 

 experience outside Scotland. 



