“* pee-pee-pee,” is like that of the wryneck. This is a near relation 
of the woodpeckers, but very different in coloration, being 
beautifully mottled and vermiculated with grey and brown. 
But for its spring cry, just alluded to, it would escape notice 
altogether, so closely does it match the bough it is perched upon. 
Unlike the woodpeckers its tail-feathers are not developed to form 
stiff, pointed spines. This is accounted for by the fact that, 
though it ascends tree-trunks readily, it does not hammer at the 
bark with its beak, and so does not need stiff tail-feathers to 
afford leverage. Its flight is slow and hesitating. It is com- 
monest, it may be remarked, on the south-east of England. 
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