80 



THE MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



Picus medius, Linnaeus ; Le Pic varid k tSte rouge, BufFun ; Der Mittlerer 

 Buntspecht, Bechstein. 



This is only distinguished from the former by being rathei 

 smaller: the beak is more slender, and very pointed. The 

 top of the head is crimson, and the :egion of the vent rose- 

 coloured. It is, besides, less common, and the young which 

 are reared are not so untractable. though never very docile *. 

 They are generally kept in a cage, and fastened by a little 

 chain. 



THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



Picus minor, Linnaeus ; Le Petit Epeiche, Buffon ; Der Kleiner Buntspecht, 



BECHsTEIN. 



This bird is the size of a lark, five inches and a half in 

 length, two of which are included in the tail, and the beak 

 measures seven lines. The feet are of a greenish black ; the 

 rump is white ; the top of the head crimson ; the nape of the 

 neck black ; the back white, with transverse streaks of black ; 

 the under part of the body is of a reddish white grey, and the 

 sides are streaked with black. 



The female had no red on the head. 



Habitation and Food. — This rare species inhabits forests of beech and 

 oak, skilfully catching the insects under the bark and moss of these trees ; 

 it even flies to the ground to seek the same food among the grass. While 

 rearing the young ones, they must be kept in a cage. 



* I have, however, seen a woodpecker of this species which was reared by a lady, 

 to whom it seemed very much attached. It had learnt of itself to go and return, 

 knocking hard at the window if it was shut out. It was very amusing to see it 

 climbing nimbly over its mistress till it had reached her mouth ; it then asked her 

 by light strokes of its beak for the food which she was accustomed to give it ; thia 

 was generally a little meat. It disappeared one day, without any one's knowir^ 

 jfh&t accident had befallen it. — Translator. 



