THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER 59 



The Greater Spotted Woodpecker may be, if handled in the same manner 

 as a hawk, comparatively easily tamed, and in fact may grow so attached 

 to its owner that it dislikes leaving his side. 



I have had one of them which, if held in the hand and tossed high into 

 the air, would plane down with the most perfect ease to settle again upon 

 my coat sleeve. 



If at all hungry this woodpecker would continually utter its sharp cry, 

 and developed an unhappy knack of demanding food by rapping painfully 

 against one's hand or neck with its beak. 



Since it was allowed entire freedom, and soon learned to fend for itself, 

 it ultimately reverted to the wild state. It would indeed be interesting to know 

 whether it travelled far afield, or whether it nested in the neighbourhood of its 

 former human friends. 



