GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 81 
sington Gardens, where they are not unfrequent, was observed, 
a few years since, early in the morning, climbing up the wall 
of a house near’ Cavendish Square, London. Was it making 
its way to the ‘Woods and Forests?’ 
In Scotland it sparingly occurs in Roxburghshire and Dum- 
friesshire, and even farther north; and in the neighbourhood 
of the Spey and the Dee. In the Orkney Islands, one was 
shot near Scapa; another by Mr. Strang, on the 10th. of 
September, 1830; a young one was caught at Stronsay; and 
another shot in the garden of Mr. Traill, of Woodwick, at 
Kirkwall. For these particulars I am indebted to the very 
complete ‘Historia Naturalis Orcadensis,’ published by W. B. 
Baikie, Esq., M.D., and Mr. Robert Heddle, and very oblig- 
ingly forwarded to me by those gentlemen, for the use of 
this work. 
In Ireland, eleven specimens have been placed on record by 
William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, as having occurred in 
various parts of the island. 
Mr. Selby considers that these birds are probably migratory, 
as he has met with them in Northumberland in the months 
of October and November, generally after storms from the 
north-east. They, at all events, wander about more in the 
autumn than in any other part of the year. 
This species naturally displays the capabilities of climbing, 
which distinguish its race. With the most easy adroitness 
it runs in all upward directions over the branches and trunks 
of trees, seeming at the same time to prefer having the latter 
between you and it, should you approach. Sometimes they 
will run up to the top of the tree, and then fly off. They 
seldom alight on the ground, and their movements then are 
neither quick nor graceful. The old birds shew great attach- 
ment to their young. Montagu mentions one instance in 
which ‘notwithstanding that a chisel and mallet were used to 
enlarge the hole, the female did not attempt to fly out till 
the hand was introduced, when she quitted the tree at another 
opening.’ The Greater Spotted Woodpecker is a courageous, 
active, strong, and lively bird; but unsociable with strangers, 
and defensive of its own food. 
The flight of this Woodpecker is straight and strong, but 
short and curved; the wings being quickly moved from, and 
brought close back again to the body. 
Their food consists of insects and caterpillars, seeds, fruits, 
and nuts. Mr. Gould observes that they ‘sometimes alight 
VOL. II, G 
