62 THE GEEEN WOODPECKER 



Squirrels, 220 



Jackdaws, 210 



Woodpeckers, .... 50 



Hedgehogs, 250 



Cats, . . . . . .52 



Stoats, 90 



Magpies, ) 

 Jays, / ' 



Hawks, 60 



Rats, 300 



Total, . . .1327 



It would be hard to say which were the most 

 blameless in respect of injury to game woodpeckers 

 or hedgehogs ; the last named, it is to be feared, still 

 figure in the black list of most gamekeepers ; but there 

 is ground for belief that during the last forty years 

 the character of the yaffle has been cleared from all 

 suspicion. 



Indeed, there is hardly any bird which, by reason 

 of its insatiable activity in the pursuit of insects hurtful 

 to vegetation, better deserves protection at the hand of 

 man. Luckily, all the woodpeckers are very wary in their 

 habits, seldom offering a chance shot to the mischievous 

 hedgepopper, and requiring to be approached stealthily, 

 even by the friendly observer of its movements. It 

 is worth some pains to watch the yaffle at work upon 

 a tree. Beginning at the root, it raps incessantly as 

 it works up the stem, probably with the double purpose 

 of disturbing any lurking insects and of detecting any 

 unsound wood where fat grubs may be harboured. As 

 soon as the game is afoot, the tongue of the bird comes 



