164 Some Interesting Birds. 



the centre of the trunk or branch, and then turned downwards 

 and enlarged to form a suitable domicile for the upbringing 

 of a family. Occasionally a hole of the previous year is 

 used, also at times a natural cavity in a dead branch is ex- 

 tended and enlarged. With this species several holes are by 

 no means unfrequently excavated before they secure one to 

 their entire satisfaction. The neit cavity is not lined, and the 

 eggA are laid on the bare wood amid a few chips left behind 

 when excavating. About the middle of May, or later, six or 

 seven creamy -white eggs are deposited, barely one inch long 

 by three-quarters 6*f an inch through the thickest part. Both 

 sexes incubate, and the incubation period is about fourteen 

 days. It breeds freely in this country up to Yorkshire, but 

 is rare as a breeding species farther north and in Scotland. 

 It also breeds in Wales, but I cannot call to mind any in- 

 stance of its doing so in Ireland. 



It has a wide range and is found all over temperate 

 Europe, extending over Siberia to Japan. 



Description: Adult male: Above it is mostly black; 

 forehead pale bufflsh-white; cheeks and ear-coverts white, 

 the former tinged with buff; nape crimson; a black band ex- 

 tends from the gape under the eye to the back of the neck and 

 also down the sides of the throat; a white patch just 

 below the ear-coverts adorns each side of the neck; scapulars 

 white; wing-feathers barred with white on the outer webs; 

 tail-feathers black, with the outer ones edged and tipped 

 with white; underparts dull white; vent pale crimson. Total 

 length barely 91- inches. 



Adult female : Similar, but slightly smaller and has 

 no crimson on the nape. 



Young: Bath sexes have the crown of the head red. 



In Captivity: This species is not very interesting to 

 my mind as a cage pet, biit as an aviary bird it 'is most 

 interesting, land would, I should say, ultimate'y breed if suitable 

 accommodation were given it. On May 19th last, I had 

 an opportunity of seeing Major Johnson's fine specimen " Jim " 

 in his roomy aviary at Hove; he will not tolerate any other 

 Woodpecker in his enclosure, but lives at peace with a 

 unique series of British hard- and soft-bills and Waders. The 

 aviary attendant informed me that the woodwork of the 



