64 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



Family PICID.E. 



Sub-Family PICIN^. 



Genus DENDROCOPUS. 



D. Major. Greater Spotted Woodpecker. 



The Greater Spotted Woodpecker is an ex- 

 ceedingly scarce resident, more frequently noticed 

 in winter than during the summer months, but 

 breeding, nevertheless in a few favourite localities. 



In 1884, a pair nested near Corby, and two j)airs 

 bred in the vicinity in 1885. We have notes also 

 of about six specimens shot in Cumberland in the 

 nestino; season. 



Dr. Heysham remarks that all the four specimens 

 he had examined had entire crimson crowns ; pre- 

 sumably, these were birds in nest dress. (But cf 

 Mitchell, B. of Lancashire, p. 91 ; Harting, B. of 

 Middlesex, pp. 107, 108.) 



A detailed description of the habits of this 

 Woodpecker in confinement will be found in the 

 Zoologist, 1883, p. 473, et seq. 



D. Minor. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. 



The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is an extremely 

 rare casual visitant, but has nested in Cumberland 

 in a single recent instance. An example was shot 

 off a tall elm at Bellevue, Carlisle, between 1832 

 and 1838 ; another was shot at Paw Park. A pair of 

 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were seen in Dalemain 

 woods in 1847. A pair nested at Edenhall in 1882, 

 and were constantly observed by Mr. Paine, the 

 'head keeper. 



