150 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA 



Ceryle rudis rudis (L.)- 



o Al)ove black, variegated with white ; eyebrow white ; tail 

 basal two-thirds white, black spotted, terminal third black with 

 white tips ; beneath white with a broad and a narrow black band 

 across breast. Bill, legs and feet black. $ has only lower narrow 

 band across breast. Wing ^^ 131-136. Tarsus 10-11-5. ^ill 

 50-62 (H.). In young breast band is greyish. 



Residott. — Egypt and Asia Minor east to Persian Gulf and 

 south down Nile Valley, and all over Africa south of Sahara. 

 Occasionally occurs Volga River and in Greece. 



Ceryle alcyon (L.). 



^ Above grey blue, crest striped black ; beneath white with 

 blue grey band across breast. Wing 160 (H.). 9 Breast band 

 rusty red and flanks also. 



An American species of rare occurrence in Europe ; reported 

 Ireland, Azores, Holland, and doubtful Iceland. 



PICI. 



Bill straight and strong ; feet strong, 2 toes in front 

 and 2 behind (sometimes 3 toes, i behind 2 in front) ; 

 affect forests or open country with old trees ; nest 

 in holes in trees ; eggs white. 



PICID^. 



Characters those of the Order. 



Picus 



Plumage more or less green ; tail feathers pointed and 

 stiff for support in climbing; 4 toes; neck thick. 



Picus viridis viridis L. Green Woodpecker. Fr. 

 Picvert ; Go: Grunspecht ; ItaL Picchio verde ; Swed. Gron 

 Hackspett. 



^ Above green, crown and nape grey, most feathers with 

 crimson tips, rump bright greenish yellow ; beneath paler green, 

 cheeks black, rictal stripe crimson bordered with black, under 



