214 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 



(Dendrocopus major). 



This species, with its pied plumage, cannot be confused 

 with the preceding one, nor has it the ' laughing "■ cry. 

 Its general behaviour and nesting habits are similar, but 

 the eggs are more rounded than those of the Green 

 Woodpecker. It is also of a more retiring natm'e, and 

 is thus often considered scarcer than it really is. In 

 suitable localities of the south and Midlands of England 

 it is not uncommon, but it is less numerous in Wales and, 

 the north. In Scotland it was formerly fairly widespread, 

 but became almost extinct till it began to re-establish 

 itself some years ago. Its extension of range is being 

 watched with interest, and it is debated whether the new 

 stock is of English or Scandinavian origin. For this 

 Woodpecker is remarkable in being migratoiy, occurring 

 in winter on our eastern seaboard. At that season, too, 

 it sometimes wanders to Ireland, where no species of 

 Woodpecker is usually found. 



THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER 



(Dendrocopus minor). 



The I^esser Spotted Woodpecker is also less luicommon 

 than is often supposed. It has a similar breeding range 

 in England and Wales to that of its congener, but it is 

 not known as a migrant. It does not differ widely in 

 habits or in appearance, but for the markedly smaller 

 size and the white bars across the back. The eggs, too, 

 are smaller than those of the Great Spotted Wood- 

 pecker, though similar in shape. 



