THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
partiality for smaller timber, for gardens and orchards. 
Like all its allies it may often be seen in isolated trees in 
fields and hedgerows. Its habits and sactions resemble 
those of its kindred. It explores the crevices of the bark 
on trunk and branches, running hither and thither in a 
very fly-like way, pausing at intervals to tap the wood 
and dig out some lurking insect. It is just as active, 
has the same peculiar undulating flight, and like the pre- 
ceding species is often observed in the tops of the trees. 
Its usual note is a shrill whit, and the bird has the same 
peculiar way of signalling to its mate, especially in the 
breeding season, by a series of rapid taps on the timber. 
It is just as solitary, too, but in winter it is sometimes 
seen in the company of Tits and Creepers, perhaps more 
from the accident of meeting than from any social 
inclination. Its food is chiefly composed of insects, 
especially larve of various kinds. It is a slightly earlier 
breeder, the eggs being laid towards the end of April and 
during May. Like its congeners it probably pairs for 
life, often returning to nest in the same spot. ‘The nest- 
hole in a tree is usually excavated by the birds themselves, 
but in rare instances one is selected ready made. It is of 
the usual character, dug out by both birds, from six to 
twelve inches in depth, slightly enlarged at the bottom. 
Here the female deposits on the bare wood and dust from 
five to eight glossy white eggs. Like most hole-building 
birds, this Woodpecker sits closely, and often allows itself 
to be taken rather than leave its eggs or young. Asa rule 
but one brood is reared each season. 
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so closely resembles 
its larger congener that a detailed description is un- 
necessary. ‘The back and rump, however, are barred 
with white, and the white on the innermost secondaries 
is greater in extent; the ear-coverts are suffused with 
brown, and not separated by any black line from the 
white on the sides of the neck; whilst the flanks 
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