EGGS OF SOMERSETSHIRE BIRDS. 165 
ments of wood which might otherwise betray their 
retreat. The eggs are of a pure shining white, 1 inch 
23 lines by 104 lines. They breed in May. 
62.—P. major. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 
Though this bird is said to be our commonest species of 
woodpecker, after the one before mentioned; I have 
never succeeded in finding the eggs, and indeed I 
have but seldom met with the bird itself in this 
county. The eggs are white and shining, 1 inch 
by 9 lines. 
63.—P. minor.—Lesser Spotted Woodvecker. 
The eggs of this bird are very similar to those of the wIy- 
neck, but are not deposited on a nest, like those of 
that bird; they are white and shining, 94 lines by 
7 lines. 
CERTHIADAE. YUNX. 
64.—Yunx torquilla.— Wryneck. 
This bird when surprised in its nest in some hollow tree, 
hisses loudly, elevating its crest, and writhing its 
head, so as to resemble a snake, when, taking advan- 
tage of a moment of hesitation, it starts out and 
escapes from a retreat whence egress seemed impossi- 
ble. Theeggs are white and smooth, from six to ten 
in number, 93 lines by 7 lines. 
CERTHIA. 
65.—Certhia familiaris.— Common Tree Creeper. 
This bird is an early breeder, laying from seven to nine 
eggs in April, they are white, with a few pale red 
spots at the large end, sometimes forming a ring, 8 
lines byölines. "The nest is composed of small twigs 
lined with hair and dark coloured wool, and is usually 
situated on the inner side of some partially detached 
