232 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



grasp the bark and climb with ease. Then, too, his tail 

 is of some importance ; for notice how he presses it close 

 to the bark to gain support while he hammers away in 

 search of the insects and grubs. How nimbly he courses 

 hither and thither, sometimes in a spiral direction, at 

 others straight and unwavering. Now he turns, and with 

 head pointing to the ground begins his downward search, 

 for he is just as much at home in one attitude as the 

 other. Then we see him at the root of the tree ; now 

 with sidelong motions he courses round the trunk ; and 

 the next we see of him is on the summit, where, his labours 

 done, he flits off in drooping flight to another tree and 

 commences his search anew, invariably beginning at the 

 bottom and working upwards, and long after he has passed 

 from view we hear his tap, tap, tap, as he bores into the 

 decaying wood for his prey, or hear his cheery notes as 

 he passes still further into the wooded solitudes. And 

 then how beautifully his rich and varied black, red, and 

 white plumage contrasts with the sober tints of the bark, 

 for it is of the greater Spotted Woodpecker we are at 

 present interested. I would here say that this bird repre- 

 sents his family in the northern parts of our island, while 

 the Green Woodpecker, a much larger bird, which 

 frequents the southern woods, is also seen at times in the 

 north, but so seldom as to make his appearance of but 

 accidental occurrence. 



The Woodpecker is wrongfully accused of boring 

 into the sound timber, and, by letting in the water, 

 hastening its decay. The gamekeeper never fails to 

 take his life at every opportunity, ' to save master's 

 timber,' he would tell you, if you spoke to him on the 

 subject ; besides, that strong beak is suspiciously capable 

 of breaking the Pheasant's eggs. Alas ! poor harmless, 

 unoffending Woodpecker, I fear that by thy visits to the 



