496 



THE LESSER SPOTTED OR STRIATED WOODPECKER. 



woods, its name of "great spotted" or pied, is richly deserved, 

 from the deep velvet black of the dress and the pure wdiite of 

 the spots. It is about the size of the missel thrush. The male 

 has the crown of the head black, and a black band on the side 

 of the neck, back of the head crimson, a broad band of white 

 over the forehead, a white ring round the eye, and a broad 

 white patch on the cheek, ear coverts, fore-neck, and breast 

 also white, on back of the neck also a white patch — in fact, the 

 bird is altogether a pied mingling of black and white from head 

 to tail. For while the back and lesser wing-coverts are black, 

 the scapulars and part of the adjoining wing-coverts are 

 white, though the quills are black ; each web is spotted 

 with white, throat, breast and belly white. The tail, like 

 the rest, is stiff and rounded to fit the trees, the four 

 middle feathers black, the others more or less white, and 

 spotted with black near the tip; vent, and under tail coverts, 

 crimson. The bill, 1 \ inch long, bluish-black ; iris purplish- 

 red ; legs and toes dark grey ; claws black. The inside back 

 toe is very short, with five scales ; the second or inside front toe 

 has nine ; the third eleven ; the fourth, directed backwards and 

 outwards— by far the largest — has fifteen scutella, an arrange- 

 ment seen at a glance as best fitted for climbing — all the species 

 the same. Wings large, broad, and rounded, also perfect for 

 the purpose intended by the wise titter of means to ends, which 

 we vaguely yet truly call Nature. The tail is also finely suited 

 for a support, being of medium length and much rounded, 

 having very strong shafts, the barbs extending beyond the end 

 of them. Female similar, but w T ants the crimson patch on the 

 back of the head. It is 10 inches long by 17. 



The Lesser Spotted or Striated Woodpecker. 



Picus Minor. (Linn). 



" Here can I sit alone, unseen of any, 

 And to the nightingale's complaining notes 

 Tune my distresses and record my woes." — Shakespeare. 



This little bird is about the size of the robin, has all the 

 characteristics of the rest, feeds on insects and larvae, lays five 



