PICID^, 



47 



occurrence of this species in both counties, which he 

 kindly gave me permission to copy : — 



'In Richmond and Windsor Parks, the woods of 

 Taplow and Cliefden and the fine elms of the * play- 

 ing-fields ' at Eton, it is tolerably numerous. 



*To render credit where credit is due, I must first 

 acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Briggs, gardener 

 to Mr. De Vitre, of Formosa, near Cookham in Berk- 

 shire, for the assistance he has rendered me in the 

 acquisition of the knowledge I desired. During the 

 last few years several pairs have bred in this beau- 

 tiful spot, their holes being always made in the up- 

 right stems of the broken boughs of the loftiest 

 poplars, at such a height as to be almost inacces- 

 sible to any one but a sailor, or an Australian * black 

 fellow.' 



'Aware of my anxiety to become acquainted 

 with every detail connected with the present species, 

 Briggs, at considerable risk both to body and limbs, 

 has mounted several of these mast-like stems, sawn 

 them off, and lowered them to the ground without 

 either the least injury to the eggs or young birds. 

 About the end of April, 1861, a pair commenced 

 excavating in one of these lofty poplars alluded to, 

 at which they laboured assiduously for two or three 

 weeks, bringing the chips one by one to the opening 

 and throwing them out in quick succession ; after 

 the work appeared to be completed, a certain time 

 was allowed to elapse for the deposition of the eggs, 



