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ramblers, unacquainted with bird life, have mistaken it 

 for a Woodpigeon, or some similar bird. On the ground, 

 the Woodpecker's progress is by a series of jerking hops, 

 which remind one very forcibly of a frog. The same 

 kind of progress is made when the bird ascends a tree 

 in search of insects ; and the spiral route taken is very 

 noticeable; as well as the position kept by the birds, 

 which is with head pointing up, never down, and the 

 stiff feathers of the tail acting all the while as a support 

 for the weight of the bod}'. 



When these birds are kept in cages I find perches 

 quite needless, as the birds never use them ; preferring, 

 if nothing better is provided, to sleep crouching on the 

 floor in some secluded corner. 



If a strip of cork be placed at the back of the cage, 

 the bird will amuse itself during the day by hopping up 

 and down in the manner previously mentioned, and it 

 will tap away qnite merrily without doing any harm to 

 the cage, and then, when night comes, it will sleep 

 clinging to the bark. I have found that a piece of cork 

 rolled round to imitate a hollow tree is appreciated by 

 my pets, and used b}- them quite readilj- as a roosting 

 place. vShould the exposed part of the cage be made of 

 wood, it will be soon splintered, for even little Dendro- 

 £opus jninor, as I have experienced, can do damage to the 

 extent of several shillings in as many minutes. 



C. Cooper. 



THE STONECHAT. 



I have frequently wondered why this brightly 

 •coloured little bird is not more often seen on the Show 

 bench, for as regards beauty of plumage it compares 

 very favourably with such favourites as the Redstart, and 

 has the advantage of being far hardier — being a resident 

 species. In the spring an adult cock has a glossy jet 

 black head and throat, with a pure white collar; reddish- 

 brown breast ; the flights and tail a very dark browMi 

 with lighter tips and margins. Bill and legs black. In 



