THE GKEEN WOODPECKER. 127 



some distance off, ascending, by a series of jerks, the trunk 

 of a large oak. 



It might here be remarked that the woodpecker is rarely, 

 if ever, seen to descend a tree, but seems to be guided in its 

 climbing by the motto " excelsior." 



After watching for some time, the bird suddenly dis- 

 appeared, and, on reaching the tree where we last saw it, 

 we discovered a circular hole in the trunk, not more than 

 fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. In less time than it 

 takes to relate, we were both vigorously hammering at the 

 tree in order to dislodge the occupier of the hole above. All 

 in vain, however; once v/ithin her hole she would not stir, 

 and not until a wire had been thrust down the burrow 

 could she be forced to leave it. After the bird had made 

 her escape, the other end of the wire, which was formed 

 into a small bag with a piece of muslin, was passed into 

 the nesting hole, and one by one the five eggs were with- 

 drawn. When first taken they appeared to be mottled all 

 over with a light brown colour, but this was in reality 

 nothing but dirt from the bird's feet, after climbing about 

 in wet weather and then sitting on its eggs. The colour 

 all disappeared on washing, but I have left one egg just as 

 it was when taken. This nest was in an oak tree, and I 

 was much struck by the fact that the bird could excavate 

 such a tunnel in solid and hard wood. The perseverance of 

 the woodpecker must have been something extraordinary, 

 and is worthy both of admiration aud imitation. 



I very much wished to cut down the tree, and preserve 

 the portion containing the burrow, in order to show the 

 skill of the bird. But as this was impossible, I did what 

 seemed to be the next best thing. Shortly afterwards 

 I visited the spot again, taking with me a 2-ft. saw. I 

 ascended the tree with this, and, after working for nearly 



