All rights reserved. May, 1917. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



The Green Woodpecher 

 (Gecintis viridis) 



Bv Wkslev T. Paok. F.Z.S. 



This spcrics is, pcrha]:)s, the hanclsomcst, largest and 

 best known of our English Woodpeckers. It is found more 

 or less all over England, but is what may be termed a local 

 species, favouring principally forest and woodland districts, 

 being decidedly scarce in the northern counties. It is fairly 

 frequently met with in all tlv London suburban districts, and 

 is hearr; more oft<'n than seen, but a sight of the male in his 

 gorgeous garb, as he meanders up and down and around the 

 trunk or branch of some tree, is a feast of beautyiand interest 

 indeed, and one which the writer is always willing to take 

 considerable trouble to attain. 



But our member. Air. Murray Dixon, has depicted him 

 amid \ cry different scenes from those of our peaceful English 

 woodlands, for in our frontis])icce we see him amid the devast- 

 ation and throe, of the. world's greatest war, but the artisf 

 must speak of this in his own words.. On the back of the 

 drawing is the following short note: — 



" Since I have been in France I have seen many 

 "birds, Hoodies, Carrion Crows, Magpies, and Rooks pre- 

 " dominating, but amongst others of more particular in- 

 " terest : Siskins, Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Crested' 

 ■' Larks, Blue Tits, Robins, and Wrens; and in the bay at the 

 " imouth of the Somme, hundreds of Pintail, Mallard, Teal, 

 " Scaup, Tufted Duck, Oyster Catchers, Godwits, Dunlins, 

 " Sandpipers and one wild Swan, which flew so close by me^ 

 '■ that 1 easily made him out to be a Bewick. Close up to 



