THE WOODPECKERS. 341 



The Great Black Woodpecker (Svart Hackspett, Sw. ; 

 Picus martins, Linn.) was common in my vicinity, as is also 

 the case in all wooded districts throughout Scandinavia, to 

 within at least the polar circle ; but it is chiefly confined to 

 Barr-skogar. In Denmark it is described as scarce. 



In Sweden this bird is generally known under the name 

 of Spill-Krdka, or splinter- crow, the former part of the 

 designation being probably derived from the quantity of 

 Spillror, or splinters, always found at the foot of the tree 

 where it carries on its labours ; the latter, from the bird 

 somewhat resembling the crow family in appearance. 



The great black woodpecker, if it does not enliven the 

 northern wilds, at least disturbs their solitude ; for not only 

 is its note harsh and loud, but the noise it makes when 

 hammering away with its powerful beak at the trunk of a 

 pine whether to test its soundness, or whilst perforating 

 it is almost beyond credence. The forest resounds again, 

 and one might almost be led to imagine that the woodman 

 was following his vocation. 



It is rather a shy bird, and not very easy of approach, 

 excepting by stratagem. In parts of Sweden people adopt 

 especially in the pairing season the expedient of tapping 

 either the gun-stock, or a tree, with some hard substance in 

 imitation of its own hammering, which frequently lures it 

 within shot. 



This bird, like the rest of the woodpeckers, breeds in the 

 hollows of decayed trees. The female readily distinguishable 

 from the male by the inferior size of the red crest on the 

 head prepares but little in the shape of a nest, and lays from 

 three to four eggs, glossy, and of a pure white colour. 



The Green Woodpecker (Gron Hackspett, Sw. ; P. 



