I70 Jill: NESTS AN J J JCGCS ()!• HKIJ ISII lUiajS. 



Diagnostic characters: 'Iho small size, and white, 

 polished appearance distinguish the Cggs of this species 

 from those of all others breeding in our islands, likely 

 to be confused with them. The single exception is the 

 egg of the Wryneck, but egg; of that bird are almost 

 constantly larger, heavier, and not so highly polished. 

 Nevertheless, the eggs of the Lesser Spotted Wood- 

 pecker require most careful identification, which can 

 f;nly be accomplished at Ike nest with absolute certainty. 



I'lJiiiily I'lCflJ^^;. . Genus PlCUS. 



c;r I'.AT si'O'i '1 i:i) woodp]':ckkr. 



l^icus MAjOK, JAmiu^us. 

 Single liroodcfl, f.^encrally. J/iying season, May and June. 



r,i;iii ,11 I'.RKKDING AREA: From Yorkshire .south- 

 wards tlie (jreat Spotted Woodpecker is pretty generally 

 distributed throughout the wooded districts of I'^ngland 

 and Wales, in tlie extreme northern counties of Jing- 

 laiid it is rare ; whilst in Scotland the evidence of its 

 breerling at the present time is by no means conclusive. 

 Il i , not l.novvii 1o breed ;inywhere in Irelanrl. 



j>i'i-,l',l>].\c iiAl;ns: 'llie Great .Spotted Wooflpecl:er 

 is a resident in this country, and from its shy and 

 .secretive habits one that is ajjt to be often thought 

 more rare and local than it really is. Its breeding- 

 haunts are nnicli the saine as those of the Woodpeckers 

 already described. 'J he bird may be met with in woods, 

 fjpen forests, and parks, especially such as abound with 



