360 Major W. M. Congreve : Ornithological and [Ibis, 



Dryobates major. Spotted Woodpecker. 



Fairly common. The only breeding-hole which the 

 writer thought was a certainty was appropriated by a pair 

 of large tree-mice, or perhaps rats. The species was quite 

 unknown to the writer. 



Picus viridis. Green Woodpecker. 



Common. Their breeding-holes were usually in most 

 inaccessible positions well up the bare trunks of large 

 beech-trees. 



lynx torquilla. Wryneck. 



Not observed till late in July, and that was in northern 

 Belgium. 



Cuculus canorus. Cuckoo. 



Fairly common. A pinkish type of egg found in a Reed- 

 Warbler's nest near Saigneville on 9 June (fresh). The 

 Cuckoo had completely broken and practically destroyed 

 one of the Reed-Warbler's eggs, and, of the remaining three, 

 one was badly holed. 



The egg-sucking propensities of a certain Cuckoo are 

 remarked on under the heading of the Blue-headed Yellow 

 Wagtail. 



Micropus apus. Swift. 

 Common. 



Alcedo ispida. Kingfisher. 

 Occasionally seen. 



Flammea flammea. Barn-Owl. 



Common, and constantly flushed from old willows. 



Carine noctua. Little Owl. 



Very common. Nests with five and three fresh eggs 

 respectively found near St. Valery on 19 May. In one case 

 an old bird sat so closely that it allowed the writer to 

 place his hand underneath it without making the least 

 attempt to move away or retaliate. The nests found were 

 in old apple-trees. 



