502 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



nape ; another commences on the side of the throat 

 and, passing backwards, also meets the black on 

 the back of the neck. A horizontal, elongated patch 

 of white is enclosed by the black on either side of 

 the neck ; the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts 

 are black. Wings black, variegated with white spots 

 and a large patch of the same colour on the scapulars. 

 Tail longest in the centre, and black, the outside 

 feathers being tipped in increasing lengths from the 

 middle with white. Chin, throat, breast, and belly 

 dirty white ; vent and under tail-coverts bright 

 scarlet. Legs, toes, and claws greenish-grey. 



The female is a little smaller than the male, 

 and lacks the scarlet on the back of her head. 

 Easily distinguished from the Lesser Spotted Wood- 

 pecker by its much greater size and lack of white 

 on the back. 



Situation and Locality. In holes in trees, either 

 dug by the bird's own exertions, or a decayed hole 

 in the trunk or a branch, adapted and enlarged. 

 It is somewhat similar to that of the other Wood- 

 peckers, and varies from ten to twenty inches in 

 depth. In forests, well-timbered parks, woods, and 

 other places where old trees exist. It is found in 

 nearly all the counties of England and Wales, 

 excepting those north of Yorkshire, where it is a rare 

 bird ; it is local in Scotland, but apparently increasing 

 in central and south-eastern parts ; rare in Ireland. 



Materials. None, the eggs being laid on the 

 powdered wood and chips produced in making the 

 cavity for their reception. 



Eggs. Four to seven, occasionally as many as 

 eight, white, unspotted, and glossy. Size about 

 1.05 by .75 in. Distinguished by their size and 

 characteristics of parent birds. 



