Resident Birds of the Woods and 

 Well- Wooded Districts 



GREAT SPOTTED -WOODPECKER. 



(Dendrocopus major). 



Rarer than the Green Woodpecker, but found fairly 

 abundantly in the midland and southern counties ; still 

 rarer towards the north ; very rare in Ireland. 



Observation. In general appearance distinctly spotted. 



Plumage. Upper parts and head black ; nape crimson. 

 Spot each side of neck, scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, 

 and under parts white. Vent and under tail-coverts 

 crimson. Bill slaty black. Legs dark grey. Length 

 9! in. Female smaller, and no crimson on nape. Young, 

 crimson areas duller. 



Language. " Chik," or " gick," a noise such as a 

 driver makes with his tongue to encourage his horses ; 

 it also calls to its mate by rapping its beak on a bough. 



Habits. Far more silent than the Green Woodpecker, 

 and confines its attentions more to the smaller branches 

 of trees ; otherwise very similar. 



Food. Insects and their larvse ; spiders, worms, 

 acorns, nuts, seeds, &c. 



Nest. Mid-May. One brood. 



Site. In a hole in a tree, usually made by the bird. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. Five to seven. Shining creamy white. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER 



(Dendrocopus minor)., 



Fairly abundant in the southern and midland counties; 

 much rarer farther north ; very rare in Ireland. 

 45 



