174 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



Dendrocopiis major. 



This species is not nearly so abundant as the last_, hut may- 

 lie met witli occasionally where there are pollard trees^ par- 

 ticularly the willow and alder, not affecting the large timber 

 so much as G. viridis. It is fond of fruit as well as of nuts, 

 beech-mast, and other seeds. Insects, however, are its prin- 

 cipal food, and for them it may be heard constantly striking 

 the higher branches, to which it chiefly confines itself. It bores 

 holes about two inches in diameter, sometimes to a great 

 depth, and, if the tree is suitable, it may be found regularly 

 riddled \\'itli them, and the ground strewn with the chips. 



It has several distinct notes, and is very vociferous in the 

 spring. It usually forms its nesting-place in a hole of its 

 own making, but occasionally uses any suitable hollow, lay- 

 ing its eggs on the decayed wood and chips. 



It receives an accession from abroad in December. Of 

 this, a remarkable instance occurred in the neighbourhood 

 of Brighton in that month of 1889, when the visitors even 

 entered the gardens in the town, and were found in many 

 parts of the Weahl, not usually frequented by them. I am 

 not aware that it has anv local name. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



JDendrocoims minor. 



From its very small size, and from its predilection, except in 

 the breeding-season, for lofty trees, especially the elm, this 

 bird, though more generally difi'used than D. iiK.jor, is mucli 



