

NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 29 



No. 77. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



(Dendrocopus minor.) 



Owing to its small size and partiality for tall trees, such as elms 

 and poplars, this species frequently escapes observation, but is fairly 

 common in many parts of the southern half of England ; it is rare in 

 the north, and very uncommon in Scotland and Ireland. 



The nest-hole is often made in the highest branches of tall trees, 

 but sometimes at very moderate elevations or in pollard willows and 

 hornbeams, as in the present instance. Six or seven white eggs are laid 

 about the middle of May. The food consists almost entirely of timber- 

 haunting insects. 



Hertfordshire, June. 



Presented by A. M. Blake, Esq. 



No. 78. GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 



(Dendrocopus major.) 



Though nowhere abundant, this species is generally distributed over 

 the wooded portions of England and Wales, as well as the south-eastern 

 part of Scotland. Over the rest of Scotland it is not infrequently met with 

 during the autumn migration, but very few examples have been recorded 

 from Ireland. It frequents the highest branches of trees, feeding on 

 insects and their larvae, as well as on berries and nuts, and, owing to 

 its retiring nature, frequently escapes observation. In April, a circular 

 hole is hewn by the birds in the trunk or branch of some tree, a dead 

 one being usually selected, and, within the stein, a chamber is excavated 

 for the reception of the eggs. These are white, from five to seven in 

 number, and are deposited on the bare wood about the middle of May. 



Norfolk, June. 

 Presented by Lord Walsingham, P.R.S. 



No. 79. WRYNECK. (lynx torquilla.) 



This spring visitor, also known as the " Cuckoo's- mate" or " Cuckoo's- 

 leader," arrives in England towards the end of March or beginning 

 of April, but is rarely met with in Scotland, except during the autumn 

 migration, and is only known in Ireland as an accidental straggler. 

 It frequents orchards and open parks rather than forest-districts, 

 and feeds on insects, especially on ants and their larvae. It breeds 

 in hollow trees, an apple-tree being frequently chosen, and about 



