126 OUR RARER BIRDS 



inclined to be gregarious or sociable. Earely indeed do we 

 see more than a pair of birds together, and in most cases only 

 one. Its singular cry once heard can never be forgotten ; and 

 the countryman will tell you that it is most frequently 

 uttered before rain. We hear it most often in the bird's 

 breeding season during spring and early summer. It may 

 best be described as a clear hi-hi-M rapidly repeated, and 

 resembling a loud laugh. When signalling to its mate it 

 taps the trunks or branches loudly and rapidly, producing 

 quite a jarring noise. I have sometimes seen the Green 

 Woodpecker alight on an old gatepost by the woodside and 

 search for insects ; and it may be repeatedly surprised on the 

 ground in the quiet corners of the woods and plantations, or 

 even in the open park. It has visited the ground to dig up 

 the ants' nests and to regale itself on the moving masses of ants 

 and larvae. On the ground it is awkward and clumsy enough, 

 its short legs preventing it from moving about as gracefully 

 as most birds do. Woodpeckers are shy and wary creatures, 

 yet with a little more caution than usual we can generally 

 approach them sufficiently near to watch their interesting 

 movements on the trees. I love to conceal myself amongst 

 the tall bracken in the park or more open parts of the forest, 

 where the deer graze peacefully under the noble trees, and 

 wait and watch for the Green Woodpecker. His laugh may- 

 hap is sounding in the distance ; he may not come my way 

 for a long time, but I can find plenty to interest me among 

 these grand old trees. Creepers, Starlings, Tree Pipits, Wood 

 Pigeons, Stock Doves make them their headquarters and 

 imbue them with life; whilst the myriads of bees in the 

 fragrant lime trees yonder soothe me with their constant 

 dreamy hum. I have known the Green Woodpecker search 

 the trees all around me, and have been able to watch his 

 every movement when I have been concealed in this manner. 

 By the middle of April the Green Woodpeckers are busy 



