NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 165 
No. 77. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
(Dendrocopus minor. ) 
Owing to its small size and partiality for tall trees, such as elms 
and poplars, this species frequently escapes observation, but is fairly 
common in many parts of the southern half of England ; it is rare in 
the north, and very uncommon in Scotland and Ireland. 
The nest-hole is often made in the highest branches of tall trees, 
but sometimes at very moderate elevations or in pollard willows and 
hornbeams, as in the present mstance. Six or seven white eggs are laid 
about the middle of May. ‘The food consists almost entirely of timber- 
haunting insects. 
Hertfordshire, June. 
Presented by A, M. Blake, Esq., C.B. 
No. 78. GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
(Dendrocopus major.) 
Though nowhere abundant, this species is generally distributed over 
the wooded portions of England and Wales, as well as the south-eastern 
part of Scotland. Over the rest of Scotland it is not infrequently met with 
during the autumn migration, but very few examples have been recorded 
from Ireland. It frequents the highest branches of trees, feeding on 
insects and their larvee, as well as on berries and nuts, and, owing to 
its retiring nature, frequently escapes observation. In April, a circular 
hole is hewn by the birds in the trunk or branch of some tree, a dead 
one being usually selected, and, within the stem, a chamber is excavated 
for the reception of the eggs. These are white, from five to seven in 
number, and deposited on the bare wood about the middle of May. 
Norfolk, June. 
Presented by Lord Walsingham, 
No. 79. WRYNECK. (lynx torquilia.) 
This spring visitor, also known as the “ Cuckoo’s-mate” or “ Cuckoo’s- 
leader,” arrives in England towards the end of March or beginning 
of April, but is rarely met with in Scotland, except durimg the autumn 
migration, and only known in freland as an accidental strageler. 
It frequents orchards and open parks rather than forest-districts, 
and feeds on insects, especially on ants and their larve. It breeds 
in hollow trees, an apple-tree beg frequently chosen, and about 
