WRYNECK. . 93 
uncommon bird in some localities, and very rare in others now- 
a-days. It is less likely, too, to betray its presence by its note 
than the Green Woodpecker, and is so shy and so capable of, 
concealing itself or keeping the trunk of a tree always between 
itself and any prying observer, that doubtless it is deemed to be 
more rare than it really is. It seems to prefer the vicinity of 
woods, but may be seen occasionally where woods do not abound, 
and sometimes even it resorts to places where abundance of old 
posts or decaying tree-trunks lead it to expect a plentiful repast. 
[t breeds in holes in trees, making no nest, and laying its four 
or five eggs on just such a bed as its green namesake. The 
female is very averse to leaving her eggs, and shows almost as ° 
much pertinacity as a Tomtit in abiding by them. They are 
1 inch long by 2-inch broad. 
128. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER—(Picus minor). 
Barred Woodpecker, Hick-wall, Little Black and White Wood- 
pecker, Crank-bird.—A pretty little bird, very shy, very active, 
very able to keep itself out of sight, and so, hardly noticed by 
one in a hundred of those whom Miss Edgeworth would class as 
more or less nearly connected with the widely-spread family of 
No-eyes. Itis said to prefer large woods of Beech; and like 
the other Woodpeckers, makes no nest, but places its eggs in a 
hollow tree, accessible by only a small hole, the means of access 
being often at a considerable distance from the eggs laid below. 
The eggs of this little bird are four or five in number, purely 
white, though seeming to be suffused with a delicate pink hue 
before they are blown, which arises from the transparency of the 
shell. They are about 32-inch long by rather more than 3-inch 
broad. 
129. WRYNECK—(Yune torquilla). 
Cuckoo’s-mate, Emmet-hunter, Snake-bird, Long-tongue.—A 
