3-20 THE WOODPEC'KERS 



wood, and are pure glossy white in colour, somewhat variable in shape, with fine 

 grain, and show the yolk distinctly when fresh. Occasionally, however, eggs 

 may be met with which have been stained by moisture acting on the wood, and 

 show various tints of yellow or rich red-brown. If the eggs are gradually removed, 

 the hen may be induced to lay large numbers of eggs, and 14 have been taken on 

 consecutive days from one hole. (PLxxxn.) Average size of 100 eggs, 1*24 x -91 in. 

 [31 -64x23-14 mm.). The normal breeding season is probably about the end of April 

 or early in May ; but so many of the first nests are appropriated by starlings, that 

 in some districts it is almost useless to look for eggs till late in May or early in June. 

 Incubation lasts about 16-18 days, and, according to Ban, the hen is relieved by the 

 cock from 10A.M. to 2 P.M. K T. Booth notes that three out of four shot from the 

 nest proved to be males, and W. Farren has found the male on the nest after 

 5 P.M. Only one brood is reared during tike season. [F. C.B.J.] 



5. Food. Young fed by both parents by regnrgitatkm. The adults feed 

 by preference on ants, but all kinds of insects are eaten, as well as nuts and wild 

 fruits, [w. p. p.] 



6. Song Period. Messrs. a J. and H. 6. AWA state that the full 

 JMghing cry, which they take to be the song, is only uttered from January to late 

 summer and not in autumn : this species also drums, but apparently not often 

 (Br. Birds, iv. 276). [F. c. B. J.] 



BRITISH GREAT SPOTTED- WOODPECKER [Demdro- 

 copug major angUemg Hartert. French magpie, woodpie, woodwallj. 



I. Description. The black upper parts relieved by white patches on the 

 cheeks, side of the neck, and scapulars, and the red of the lower abdomen and under 

 tail-coverts at once distinguish the great spotted-woodpecker. (PL 75.) Length, 10 in. 

 [255 mm.]. In the male the upper parts are of a glossy brae-black, relieved by a 

 band of buff across the forehead, a band of crimson across the occiput, a large white 

 patch below and behind the eye, and on the side of the neck. The scapulars and 

 the coverts over the region of the elbow form yet another white patch, and the 

 remiges bear white spots on their outer webs, forming transverse bars in the closed 

 wing. The tail has the four middle feathers black, the rest white barred with black 

 to within a short distance of the bases which are black. The under parts are of a 

 dull buff colour, save the lower abdomen and under tail-coverts which are crimson. 

 The female differs from the male in lacking the crimson patch on the occiput. The 



