94 ~ PICUS VIRIDIS. 



edge of lower mandible 1^^^^ ; tarsus 1/^ ; first toe ^^|, its claw 

 ^^ ; second toe /g, its claw j^g ; third toe 1, its claw ^§ ; fourth 



Female. — The female differs little from the male. The 

 mystachial band is entirely black ; the red extends less along 

 the hind-neck ; and the lower parts are of a more yellowish 

 grey. 



Length to end of tail 13 inches ; extent of wings 21 ; wing 

 from flexure G^^g ; tail 4^ ; bill along the ridge 1/g ; tarsus 

 1/g ; middle toe 1, its claw /g. 



Variations. — In adult birds I have not observed any re- 

 markable variations ; but it is stated that individuals of a white 

 or whitish colour are sometimes met with. 



Changes of Plumage. — The plumage is completed by the 

 end of autumn, when the tail-feathers are acuminate, but 

 rounded, the shaft suddenly attenuated. When worn by use, 

 they present the appearance of being slit at the extremity, the 

 barbs extending beyond the tip of the shaft. 



Habits. — The Green Woodpecker does not occur in any part 

 of the northern or middle divisions of Scotland. None of the 

 birdstuffers in Edinburgh with whom I am acquainted have 

 ever had a recent specimen ; and if it exist in the southern 

 parts of that country, it must be extremely rare. Speaking of 

 the valley of the Clyde, which is remarkably well adapted for 

 Woodpeckers, the Reverend Mr Patrick says expressly, " No 

 species of Picus or Woodpecker has ever been observed in this 

 part of Scotland ;" and I have had no success in my endeavours 

 to find a locality for the Green Woodpecker north of the 

 Tweed. Mr Yarrell, I think, must have somehow erred in 

 alleging it to be " found over a great portion of, if not all, the 

 wooded districts of England and Scotland." Even in the 

 north of England it is of very uncommon occurrence, but as 

 we proceed southward it increases in frequency, and in some 

 districts, especially the southern and midland, is by no means 



