THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 127 



the use which it makes of its serrated middle claw. White, and 

 another observer, quoted by Yarrell, have seen the bird while on 

 the wing capture insects with the claw and transfer them to the 

 mouth. Wilson, on the other hand, states that the use of this 

 singular structure is to enable the bird to rid itself of vermin, to 

 which it is much exposed by its habit of remaining at rest during 

 the heat of the day. As he has actually observed a bird in captivity 

 thus employing its claw, it would follow that the same organ is used 

 for a twofold purpose. 



The Nightjar is a migratory bird and the last to arrive in this 

 country, appearing not before the middle of May. It is found more 

 or less sparingly in all parts of England, especially those which abound 

 most in woods interspersed with heaths and brakes. In the wooded 

 valleys of Devonshire it is of frequent occurrence, and here it has 

 been known to remain so late in the season as November, whereas 

 from most other localities it migrates southwards about the middle 

 or end of September. It builds no nest, but lays its singularly 

 beautiful eggs, two in number, on the ground among the dry 

 herbage of the common. 



Other names by which it is locally known are Fern Owl, V." heeler, 

 and Nightchurr. 



FAMILY PICID^E 



Sub-Family PICINiE 



THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER 



DENDROCOPUS MAJOR 



Crown and upper plumage black ; a crimson patch on the back of the head ; 

 a white spot on each side of the neck ; scapulars, lesser wing-coverts, and 

 under plumage white ; abdomen and under tail-coverts crimson ; iris 

 red. Female — without the crimson on the head. Length nine inches 

 and a half ; breadth fourteen inches. Eggs glossy white. 



In habits this bird closely resembles the Green Woodpecker. It 

 is of less common occurrence, but by no means rare, especially in the 

 wooded districts of the southern and midland counties. A writer 

 in the Zoologist x is of opinion that it shows a decided partiality 

 to fallen timber. ' In 1849 '» he says, ' a considerable number 

 of trees were cut down in an open part of the country near Mel- 

 bourne, which were eventually drawn together and piled in lots. 

 These lay for some time, and were visited almost daily by Great 



* Vol. viii, p. 31 15. 



