WOODPECKERS 



occurrence, but corrects White's specification as 

 to the variety of caterpillar, the latter supposing 

 it to be the Phalana querciis, whereas Mark wick 

 declares it to be the Phaltzna viridana. In 

 the early part of last summer (June, 1894), I 

 noticed several acres of young oak-trees, in 

 Tubney Warren, in Berkshire, completely de- 

 nuded of their leaves, and on making inquiry as 

 to the cause, was told that it was the work of a 

 kind of grub. I do not mention this as being 

 by any means a rare occurrence, but merely to 

 illustrate how serious would be the depredations 

 of the progeny of such caterpillars were it not for 

 the aid afforded us by the birds in killing the 

 parent moths. 



Woodpeckers are most foully accused by 

 the more ignorant of causing the destruction of 

 trees, and woodmen and keepers accordingly 

 seize every opportunity which offers for slaughter- 

 ing them. Now, such an accusation is most 

 unwarrantable ; these birds are in reality the 

 woodman's stanchest allies, for not only do they 

 destroy the insects which ruin the trees, but by 

 their presence indicate those which require his 

 attention. It never occurs to these people to ask 

 themselves in what way the woodpecker is in the 

 habit of damaging trees, or why he labours so 

 indefatigably with his bill. They have been told 

 that the bird does harm, and that is sufficient 

 for them to warrant its destruction. I suppose 

 they conclude that it lives on wood. Were 



