GREEN WOODPECKER 249 



a brood here, and consequently it is J'early decreasing as 

 a breeding species. I attribute this fact to the great 

 increase of the Starling. The big plagues of the small 

 oak-green caterpillar and other arboreal insects, ex- 

 perienced the last two seasons, have caused large numbers 

 of Starlings to breed in the woods, and these birds are 

 not slow to take advantage of the old homes of the 

 Woodpeckers. More than this, they engage in pitched 

 battles with them over their newly made holes. It is 

 not unusual to find the Green Woodpecker resorting to 

 the same nest-site of the previous year. In this instance 

 the old hole is deepened. The drilling of a new one is 

 accomplished generally by the tenth day, but the time 

 varies according" to the nature of the tree. The process 

 of boring, as a rule, takes place during the small hours 

 of the morning, when chances of discovery are thereby 

 lessened, since the boring sound can be heard at a con- 

 siderable distance. During the day the hole is left, and 

 not returned to till the following morning. The Starling 

 is quick to avail himself of this absence. The bottom of 

 the newly drilled hole is soon lined with straw, and then 

 there is every likelihood of a fight ensuing at daybreak. 

 The tactics of the Starling are to terrify his adversary. 

 To do this he takes full advantage of his rapid and nimble 

 flight, which the Woodpecker cannot match. At one 

 moment he darts at his enemy, and is away again before 

 he can retaliate, while the next moment he will be 

 pouring out volleys of angry abuse upon his foe. I have 

 witnessed several of these fights, in which the Starling 

 has invariably scored an easy victory." 



