The green woodpecker, our largest native species, often 
betrays itself by its remarkable cry, reminiscent of a laugh— 
“ha, ha, ha,” and “pleu, pleu, pleu.” Keep quite still, and 
presently, as likely as not, it will suddenly make its appearance 
with a rapid, undulating flight. As it alights on some neighbour- 
ing tree-trunk, its identity will be finally established by its green 
back and wings, yellow rump, and crimson crown. It ascends 
the tree by jerky leaps. Where ant-hills abound it may often be 
seen on the ground, moving about with awkward hops, exploring 
the hills for ants. The greater and lesser spotted woodpecker 
may also sometimes be seen here, especially if there is much old 
timber about. In spring its presence is often made known by a 
peculiar drumming sound—never forgotten when once heard— 
made by excessively rapid blows with its beak on the trunk, 
or branch of a tree. On the wing it may be recognized by its 
“ dipping ” flight, and strikingly piebald appearance. At close 
quarters the strongly contrasted black and white plumage is 
relieved by crimson undertail-coverts, and a crimson crown. | 
The lesser-spotted woodpecker is a much smaller bird—about the 
size of a sparrow, or chaffinch—and is barred with black and 
white ; there is a patch of crimson on the head of the male. It 
has a habit of keeping more to the upper branches of the tree 
than the other species: but, like its greater cousin, it “ drums ” 
on the tree during the spring, but less loudly. Its spring cry, 
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