THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 127 
the use which it makes of its serrated middle claw. White, and 
another observer, quoted by Yarrell, have seen the bird while on 
the wing capture insects with the claw and transfer them to the 
mouth. Wilson, on the other hand, states that the use of this 
singular structure is to enable the bird to rid itself of vermin, to 
which it is much exposed by its habit of remaining at rest during 
the heat of theday. Ashe has actually observed a bird in captivity 
‘ thus employing its claw, it would follow that the same organ is used 
for a twofold purpose. 
The Nightjar is a migratory bird and the last to arrive in this 
country, appearing not before themiddleof May. It isfound more 
or less sparingly in all parts of England, especially those which abound 
most in woods interspersed with heaths and brakes. In the wooded 
valleys of Devonshire it is of frequent occurrence, and here it has 
been known to remain so late in the season as November, whereas 
from most other localities it migrates southwards about the middle 
or end of September. It builds no nest, but lays its singularly 
beautiful eggs, two in number, on the ground among the dry 
herbage of the common. 
Other names by which it is locally known are Fern Owl, V heeler, 
and Nightchurr. 
FAMILY PICIDZ 
Sus-Famity PICIN/E 
THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 
DENDROCOPUS MAJOR 
Crown and upper plumage black ; a crimson patch on the back of the head , 
a white spot on each side of the neck ; scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, and 
under plumage white ; abdomen and under tail-coverts crimson ;_ iris 
red. Female—without the crimson on the head. Length nine inches 
and a half ; breadth fourteen inches. Eggs glossy white. 
In habits this bird closely resembles the Green Woodpecker. It 
is of less common occurrence, but by no means rare, especially in the 
wooded districts of the southern and midland counties. A writer 
in the Zoologist! is of opinion that it shows a decided partiality 
to fallen timber. ‘In 1849’, he says, ‘a considerable number 
of trees were cut down in an open part of the country near Mel- 
bourne, which were eventually drawn together and piled in lots. 
These lay for some time, and were visited almost daily by Great 
Vole vii, pu Sure 
