AH rifihi.^ reserved. June, 1913. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB 



Some Interesting Birds. 



Bv Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. Illustrated from TiiFE 



I$Y H. Wir^LFORD. 



Continued from page 139. 



Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendroeopus major, Lin- 

 nipus) : In Mr. Willford's exceptionally fine photos, this bird 

 is caught in two characteristic and typical poses, and the skill 

 of the photographer is shown, in having secured so natural a 

 result, as evidenced by the calm and unruffled expression of 

 the bird figured, for the two photos are of the same bird— a 

 female. The photos also indicate that in captivity (not a large 

 aviary is represented), almost natural conditions may be sup- 

 plied, or at any rate sufficient to enable them to take exercise 

 in a natural manner. 



The Great -spotted Woodpecker is not a bird that is fre- 

 quently seen owing to its retiring demeanour, and usually it is 

 only the careful and persistent ob-erver that gets a glimpse at 

 this species of the British Wood -hewers. At the same time 

 it is not really rare or very uncommon in England, but is less 

 common in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Eecently. I have 

 had the pleasure of seeing it in Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, 

 though the glimpses were l)ut passing ones, but sufficiently 

 long for reliable identification; however, I have never had the 

 pleasure of witnessing its skill as a wood -cutter, save in 

 captivity. It usually favours the higher branches of lofty 

 trees, and mostly scuttles away out of sight immediately it is 

 cognisant of being observed, and the watcher must stand al- 

 most immovable if he is to get more than a passing glimpse 

 of this shy species. Usually it is content with passing round 

 to the other side of the branch or trunk, but if followed up 

 flies off to some other tree. Its mode of progression is both 

 diagonal and spiral. 



The nesting hole is usually cut almost horizontally to 



