PrCIN/E. 



277 



"^ \t\^v ^^'' 



THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



Dendrocopus minor (Linnceus). 



Owing to its small size and its partiality for tall trees, such as 

 elms and poplars, this little " Barred " Woodpecker frequently 

 escapes observation ; but, though less widely distributed than the 

 preceding species, it is the more numerous in many parts of the 

 southern half of England; being, in fact, rather common near 

 London and along the valley of the Thames, as well as in the 

 midlands, especially Northamptonshire. In Yorkshire it becomes 

 scarce and very local, as it is in Wales ; while in Lancashire and 

 more northern counties it is extremely rare. Mr. Service informs 

 me that three examples have been obtained in the Solway district, 

 at long intervals, since i860. In L'eland only six or seven occur- 

 rences are on record ; and none of them are recent. 



In Scandinavia the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker breeds as far 

 north as lat. 70°, while in Russia it is found up to Archangel and to 

 lat. 67° in the valleys of the Petchora and the Ob; though eastward, 

 to the Pacific, its northerly range is rather less extensive. Forms 

 which vary slightly from the type are found in Kamchatka, Japan, 

 and Northern China, but their southern limits in Asia are as yet 

 undefined ; while in Asia Minor another occurs, and yet another in 

 the Caucasus. Our bird is generally distributed throughout the 

 greater part of Europe ; but, though common in Southern Russia 



