LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 479 



The food of this species seems to consist almost entirely 

 of insects which it dislodges from the bark of the trees it 

 frequents, or is said occasionally to seek among long grass 

 on the ground, and there is apparently no instance on record 

 of its taking fruit or seeds. It is accordingly free from the 

 thefts in orchards or gardens imputed to its congener ; 

 and, owing perhaps to its small size, from the graver charge 

 of damaging forest-trees, which to some extent can be 

 maintained against others of its Family, though it is clear 

 that even if Woodpeckers were far more mischievous than is 

 alleged of them in Germany,* they are nowhere in this 

 country sufficiently numerous to inflict any serious injury. 

 Like other species the present breeds in holes of trees 

 — mostly pears and apples — generally, if not always, cut- 

 ting them out for itself, and in such cases the aperture 

 and passage leading to the chamber inside are no larger 

 than are needed. The eggs, in number from five to nine — 

 though seldom more than six — are laid at the bottom on the 

 bare wood, or at most on a few fine chips that have not been 

 removed, and are white, glossy and translucent, measuring 

 from '83 to "66 by from "67 to '53 in.f The only vocal note 

 this Woodpecker seems to utter is a tic, tic, or kink, kink 

 (which has been likened to that of a Blackbird when going 

 to roost) sometimes repeated continuously, but the remark- 

 able noise made in spring, as before described, has caused 

 it to be known in some districts as the " Crank-bird" and 

 " Pump-borer" — the sound being supposed to resemble that 

 made by an auger when used on the hardest wood. In 

 certain places it is called, like others of its Family, Hickwall 

 or Witwall ; and some writers have applied to it the name of 

 Barred Woodpecker, the neglect of which is to be regretted 

 for brevity's sake. 



This species is said to be more common in several districts 

 than the Pied Woodpecker, especially near London, and in 



* B. Altum, ' Unsere Spechte und ihre forstliche BcileutuDg. ' Berlin : 1878. 



t They are thus generally smaller than Wrynecks' with which they can bo 

 easily confouncled ; but their shell is slightly thinner, has a finer grain and a 

 higher polish. 



VOL. II. 3 Q 



