THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



partiality for smaller timber, for gardens and orchards. 

 Like all its allies it may often be seen in isolated trees in 

 fields and hedgerows. Its habits and actions resemble 

 those of its kindred. It explores the crevices of the bark 

 on trunk and branches, running hither and thither in a 

 very fly-like way, pausing at intervals to tap the wood 

 and dig out some lurking insect. It is just as active, 

 has the same peculiar undulating flight, and like the pre- 

 ceding species is often observed in the tops of the trees. 

 Its usual note is a shrill whit, and the bird has the same 

 peculiar way of signalling to its mate, especially in the 

 breeding season, by a series of rapid taps on the timber. 

 It is just as solitary, too, but in winter it is sometimes 

 seen in the company of Tits and Creepers, perhaps more 

 from the accident of meeting than from any social 

 inclination. Its food is chiefly composed of insects, 

 especially larvae of various kinds. It is a slightly earlier 

 breeder, the eggs being laid towards the end of April and 

 during May. Like its congeners it probably pairs for 

 life, often returning to nest in the same spot. The nest- 

 hole in a tree is usually excavated by the birds themselves, 

 but in rare instances one is selected ready made. It is of 

 the usual character, dug out by both birds, from six to 

 twelve inches in depth, slightly enlarged at the bottom. 

 Here the female deposits on the bare wood and dust from 

 five to eight glossy white eggs. Like most hole-building 

 birds, this Woodpecker sits closely, and often allows itself 

 to be taken rather than leave its eggs or young. As a rule 

 but one brood is reared each season. 



The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so closely resembles 

 its larger congener that a detailed description is un- 

 necessary. The back and rump, however, are barred 

 with white, and the white on the innermost secondaries 

 is greater in extent ; the ear-coverts are suffused with 

 brown, and not separated by any black line from the 

 white on the sides of the neck; whilst the flanks 



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