COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 63 



chestnut on wings, and the blue-grey or lead-colour legs, 

 not pale brown, as in ' Whitethroat.' 



Nest. In hedge or low bush, very fragile, bents lined 

 hair and fine roots. 



Eggs. White, spotted chiefly at the large end with 

 brown and grey. 



Haunts. Hedgerows, gardens, &c. 



WOODPECKERS. 



All the Woodpeckers find their chief supply of food 

 in the crevices of the bark of trees. Their feet have 

 sharp, strong claws, and two of the toes are placed for- 

 ward and two backward, enabling the birds to cling 

 with ease perpendicularly on the trunks and limbs of 

 trees ; they are also helped by the structure of the tail, 

 the feathers of which are very strong and pointed ; this 

 acts as a prop to the bird. 



WOODPECKER, GREEN. (R. Woodpeckers.) 



Size Blackbird, large. 



Colour. Above chiefly olive-green, crown of head 

 Lrimson, spots of white on wing, under parts yellowish- 

 white. 



Note. A wild cry that is something like a laugh, said 

 to be uttered before rain, hence the name ' Rainbird ' 

 has been given to it. 



Distinguishing Feature. The laugh-like note, green 

 colour, and, when seen flying, the undulating character 

 of the flight. The bird seems as though it were riding 

 on invisible waves, rising with each deliberate stroke 

 of the wings and sinking as the impetus dies away. 

 Seen clinging to the trunk or large limb of tree. 



Nest. At bottom of hole hollowed out in tree trunk. 



Eggs. -Pure white. 



Haunts. Wooded districts. 



/OODPECKER, GREAT SPOTTED. (R. 



Woodpeckers.) 



Size. Blackbird, large. 



Colour. Above chiefly black and white, patch of red 

 on back of head, under tail-coverts red. 



Note. A call note usually rendered as ' tchick ' 

 or ' chink.' It also produces a loud noise by drunv 



