60 GREEN WOODPECKER. 



Habits. It is a difficult bird to observe, on account of its 

 unobtrusive plumage, and it is far more often heard than seen. 

 It darts out its long exsertile tongue and hisses like a snake 

 (hence Snake -bird). When disturbed on its nest it contorts its 

 head in a most surprising manner. Flight wild and erratic. 

 It shuffles up tree-trunks somewhat like the true Woodpeckers. 

 On the ground it hops jerkily, often using the wings at the 

 same time. Often called "Cuckoo's mate," on account of its 

 punctual appearance each year shortly before that bird. 



Food. Ants, chiefly taken with its long snake-like tongue, 

 which is coated with an adhesive secretion ; also other insects 

 and berries. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In hole in a tree-trunk, often near the foot of the 

 tree. It does not excavate the hole itself. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. Six to ten. Pure white, and glossy. 



Subfamily PICINJE. 

 GEEEN WOODPECKER (Gecinus viridis). 



Resident ; generally distributed, though rather local ; rarer 

 further north, and very rare in Ireland. 



Haunts. Well-wooded districts. 



Plumage. Upper parts olive-green. Crown of head and 

 moustachial streak bright carmine; sides of face black. Wings 

 smoky brown, with outer webs of primaries barred with white 

 and blackish. Rump yellowish ; under parts greyish green. 

 Bill slaty black, and rather long. Tail-feathers stiff and pointed. 

 Legs slate-grey. Length 13 in. Female, no carmine on the 

 cheeks, but black. Young, under parts barred, no black lores. 

 Cheeks spotted with carmine in the male and pale brown in 

 the female. 



Language. A ringing kind of laugh. 



Habits. Like all Woodpeckers, it is practically a parasite on 

 trees, in which it finds its food and lays its eggs. The tapping 

 of the Woodpecker is a familiar woodland sound. Flight strong 

 and undulating. On the ground it walks or hops ; on the tree- 

 trunk it ascends spirally and by means of a series of jerks, 

 aided by its stiff tail-feathers and tenacious claws. 



Food. Insects, and especially ants ; also nuts and acorns in 

 winter. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In a hole in some tree, excavated by the bird itself, 

 and used yearly if not disturbed. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. Five to seven. Pure glossy white. 



