1903 Our Common Wild Birds 317 



through the bracken in an open glade in the woods, we 

 may disturb a bird about the size of a pigeon, which rises 

 close to our feet and skims away close to the ground, flying 

 somewhat like an unsteady swallow. As suddenly as it 

 rose so it disappears, dropping into the bracken again, and 

 leaving us with the impression of a bird of mottled owl-like 

 plumage and somewhat suggestive of the cuckoo in general 

 appearance. We follow it up, and just when we are almost 

 close enough to see it, up it gets again and repeats the 

 action. Or it may settle upon a railing or horizontal branch 

 of a tree, where it will squat down along the branch, not 

 perched across it, with its head level with its tail. This is 

 the nightjar as we know it in the daytime, but to hear the 

 bird at night is one of the most interesting experiences 

 which falls to the lot of a naturalist. The curious vibrating, 

 charring note, like the distant sound of a threshing machine, 

 heard in the otherwise still silence of the night is most 

 weirdly fascinating. 



The Green Woodpecker (Gccinns viridis). This is 

 generally the commonest British woodpecker, and is found 

 in most of our larger woods. Not quite so large as a 

 pigeon, its plumage of green and yellowish green is quite 

 unlike that of any other British bird. It also has con- 

 spicuous markings of crimson and black about the head, 

 which help to make it a handsome bird. Its loud laughing 

 or yelping cry — " hyi-hyi-hyi-hyi," unlike any other sound in 

 the country, may be heard at a great distance. When we 

 see a large, yellowish-green bird flying through the woods 

 or over the fields, we may be quite certain that it is the 

 green woodpecker. 



The Great Spotted Woodpecker {Dendrocopus major'). 

 About the size of a starling, this is one of the smartest 

 looking British birds. It is found in woods and parks, and 

 in many parts of England is quite as common as the 

 green species. Its black plumage, spotted and barred with 

 white, its white under parts, and the crimson nape and tail- 

 coverts, give it a most elegant appearance. We usually see 

 it climbing up or down, or slurring sideways round a tree, 

 but are often made acquainted with its presence by hearing 

 its call — " chook, chook." 



