130 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER B. A small 

 D. minor. bird; frequents the topmost branches 



of trees, where it runs actively about 

 in search of insects. It is often overlooked, but is not 

 really uncommon. The following incident is related by 

 Mr. T. Ruddy : " A pair of the Lesser Spotted Wood- 

 pecker paid us a .visit in March, and in the following 

 month they attempted to nest here. They made a hole 

 nearly twelve inches in depth into the dead limb of a 

 beech tree. One or both were at work every day for 

 more than a week. After all their trouble they were 

 obliged to abandon the hole to a common wren ; this 

 familiar little bird kept stuffing the hole with moss, and 

 although the woodpecker pulled out the moss several 

 times, the wren never gave in. Evidently the wren 

 wished to make a comfortable and safe roosting place 

 for itself." 



KINGFISHER B. The most brilliantly coloured of British 

 A kedo ispida. Birds, and therefore shot upon every 



opportunity ! In spite of this it is 

 fairly numerous on the Severn and its tributary brooks, 

 and on some pools in the County. Its wonderful nest- 

 burrow is made in the banks, and has been found even 

 within the town of Shrewsbury. It breeds early in 

 the year. The nest is usually lined with fish-bones, but, 

 according to Mr. Paddock, these are only the remains 

 of fish brought to the sitting-bird by her mate, and eaten 

 while she is on the nest there are no bones in the nest 

 till incubation commences. Illustration page 87. 



Bee-eater. A pair of Bee-eaters are said, by Decie, to have been 

 Mfrops apiaster. observed near Tenbury, throughout one sum- 



mer no year is stated, but about 1875. 



