126 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



the tree. I leave it as a signal to tell you that your tree 

 has already stood too long. It is past its prime. Millions 

 of insects, engendered by disease, are preying upon its vitals. 

 Ere long it will fall a log in useless ruins. Warned by this 

 loss, cut down the rest in time, and spare, oh spare the un- 

 offending Woodpecker !' y 



GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. Dryotomus Martins. On 

 the continent of Europe this bird is chiefly met with in the 

 northern arid central parts, but it is of extremely rare occur- 

 rence in Britain. It nestles in the hollow trunks of trees, 

 and the eggs, of a pure and glossy white, are three in 

 number. 



GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Dendrocopus major. 

 This is the only species of Woodpecker which extends to 

 the northern parts of our island, and is neither frequent in 

 its occurrence there nor in Ireland; it is more frequent 

 however in the southern parts of England. In the hollow 

 of a tree it lays five white and glossy eggs upon the decayed 

 wood. The nidification of this bird commences about the 

 end of March or the beginning of April. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Dendrocopus minor. 

 This Woodpecker is unknown in Scotland or Ireland, but 

 occurs in the southern and western counties of England. 



