i;o THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS : The small size, and white, 

 polished appearance distinguish the eggs of this species 

 from those of all others breeding in our islands, likely 

 to be confused with them. The single exception is the 

 egg of the Wryneck, but eggs of that bird are almost 

 constantly larger, heavier, and not so highly polished. 

 Nevertheless, the eggs of the Lesser Spotted Wood- 

 pecker require most careful identification, which can 

 only be accomplished at the nest with absolute certainty. 



Family PICID^E. Genus Picus. 



GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



Picus MAJOR, Linnceus. 

 Single Brooded, generally. Laying season, May and June. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA: From Yorkshire south- 

 wards the Great Spotted Woodpecker is pretty generally 

 distributed throughout the wooded districts of England 

 and Wales. In the extreme northern counties of Eng- 

 land it is rare ; whilst in Scotland the evidence of its 

 breeding at the present time is by no means conclusive. 

 It is not known to breed anywhere in Ireland. 



BREEDING HABITS : The Great Spotted Woodpecker 

 is a resident in this country, and from its shy and 

 secretive habits one that is apt to be often thought 

 more rare and local than it really is. Its breeding- 

 haunts are much the same as those of the Woodpeckers 

 already described. The bird may be met with in woods, 

 open forests, and parks, especially such as abound with 



