Ill 



GEEAT SPOTTED WOODPECKEE. 



WHITWALL. WITWALL. WOODWALL. WOODNACKEE. WOODPIE. FRENCH PIE. 



PIED WOODPECKEE. GEEATEE SPOTTED WOODPECKEE. 

 GEEAT BLACK AND WHITE WOODPECKEE. FEENCH WOODPECKEE. 



PLATE LIV. FIG. I. 



Picus major, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



" varius major, HAT. 



ABOUT the end of March, or beginning of April, the nidification 

 of these birds commences. 



No nest is formed; the eggs are laid on the dust that lodges at 

 the bottom of the hole, at a depth of six or seven inches, but some- 

 times as much as two feet from the orifice. A pine tree seems to be 

 preferred, but the oak and others are also made available; a pre-existing 

 hole being adapted to their wants, or, if there be none such, a new 

 one is scooped out of the most unsound part of the tree. There is 

 frequently a second hole, which facilitates the escape of the bird in 

 case of danger. 



The eggs are four or five in number, white and glossy, and are 

 hatched after an incubation of fifteen or sixteen days. 



The figure is from an egg in the possession of Mr. Smith, of Yar- 

 mouth, which was laid by the bird in his pocket, as he was taking it 

 home soon after its capture. 



