The Green Woodpecker 

 THE GREEN WOODPECKER 



Qecinus viridis (Linnaeus) 



The cheery " pleu, pleu, pleu " of the Yaffle as it flies 

 from one tree to another may be heard in most parts of 

 England and Wales, though in Scotland and Ireland it is 

 almost unknown. It is a moderate-sized and somewhat 

 ungainly bird in its actions, spending its life among trees, 

 though it by no means restricts itself to woods, especially 

 in autumn, when it may frequently be seen ascending 

 some hedgerow tree, with its characteristic jerking motion, 

 the stiff and pointed tail feathers aiding it to cling to 

 the trunk. Its food consists of insects, more especially 

 beetles and ants, which it finds in crevices of the bark, but 

 it often descends to the ground in search of food. 



Its flight is direct and undulating, and it proceeds by a 

 series of rapid wing-beats followed by a short falling period, 

 when the wings are half closed. On the ground it pro- 

 gresses by short hops, and when searching a tree for food, it 

 ascends spirally from the base in short jerks, flying off when 

 near the top to recommence its search at the base of another. 

 Early in April it begins to excavate a nesting-hole, choosing 

 for preference a tree destitute of lower branches. A neat 

 circular hole is chiselled out, which is carried in horizontally 

 for some distance, and then turns downwards. No special 

 nest is made, the glossy white eggs, about five in number, 

 being laid on the bare wood. 



The young remain in the nest till they are full fledged, 

 and then scatter to earn their own living. 



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