INSESSORES. Ill 



heard any argument to convince me of the impos- 

 sibility of its appearance here. Looking at the 

 form and anatomy of the bird, I see no reason why 

 it should not cross the sea as easily as the Wryneck 

 and all the short- winged Warblers which visit us in 

 summer. 



Standing upon an eminence, I have seen the 

 Green Woodpecker in full flight cross an extensive 

 valley in a very short space of time. The line of 

 flight was undulating, it is true, like that of a Wag- 

 tail, but at the same time rapid. I have also seen 

 the Great Spotted Woodpecker cross an acre or two 

 of park in the same way ; and from the power these 

 birds displayed, I have no doubt their flight could 

 have been easily sustained for a considerable dis- 

 tance. There seems to me, then, nothing wonderful 

 in finding a Great Black Woodpecker in England. 

 But since it is decidedly not indigenous, nor yet a 

 regular visitant, all records of its occurrence here, 

 to be of value, should be thoroughly well authenti- 

 cated. 



In mentioning the only [two instances of which 

 I am aware of the appearance of the Great Black 

 Woodpecker in Middlesex, I am, unfortunately, 

 unable to speak from personal observation, and can 

 only refer, in the first case, to what I have gleaned 

 from the work of a reliable authority, Colonel Mon- 

 tagu, and in the second case to what has been 

 related to me by an eye-witness. 



