THE GREEN ^VOODPECKEK. 



is found over the 

 It bears various 

 yaffil, from its 



This bird, generally observed either climbing the bark of trees in search of insects, or 

 passing by a short and undulating flight from one tree to another 

 greater portion of the wooded districts both of England and Scotland, 

 names : thus the people of Surrey and Sussex call it the yaffle or 

 repeated notes, which are compared to the sound of a laugh ; in Northumberland it is 

 styled rain-fowl, from its being more loud and noisy before a shower ; while other terms, 

 which are modifications of its name, as, woodwall, woodpic, and woodnacker, are in 

 use in the New Forest, in Hampshire. 



The green woodpecker obtains its food both upon trees and on the ground ; its flight 

 is short, undulating, and rather laborious. " AVhen seen moving upon a tree," says Mr. 

 Yarrell, " the bird is mostly ascending in a direction more or less oblique, and is believed 

 to be incapable of descending, unless this action is performed backwards. On flying to 

 a tree to make a new search, the bird settles low down on the bole or body of the tree, 

 but a few feet above the ground, and generally below the lowest large branch, as if to 

 have all its work above it, and proceeds from thence upwards, alternately tapping, 

 to induce any hidden insect to change its place, pecking holes in a decayed branch, that 

 it may be able to reach any insects that are lodged within, or protruding its long, 

 extensible tongue to take up anv- insect on the surface ; but the summit of the tree once 

 obtained, the bird does not descend o^•er the examined part, but flies off' to another tree, 

 or to another part of the same tree, to recommence its seaich lower down nearer the 

 ground." 



* I'iciis Vii-idis. 



Y 



