BIRD-LIFE OF THE WOODS AND GROVES. l6/ 



other, now running out on to a horizontal branch, 

 then back to the trunk, occasionally pausing to 

 give a few hearty taps with its chisel-like bill at 

 some loose bit of bark under which insects of 

 some kind were doubtless lurking. The merry 

 note of this Woodpecker may be heard in all 

 directions, especially in spring, and from time to 

 time the bird may be seen crossing from one tree 

 to another in the up and down flight so peculiar 

 to birds of this family. He is a very conspicuous 

 bird in the open, especially when flying before the 

 observer, when his brilliant yellow back forms the 

 greatest attraction to the eye. We have often 

 remarked the curious way in which a Woodpecker 

 alights upon a tree, giving one the impression of 

 a dart, hurled by some invisible means, sticking 

 to the branch or trunk. It is a somewhat early 

 breeder. We have known its eggs laid early in 

 April, and preparations being made for the nest 

 early in March. In this locality elm-trees seem the 

 favourite sites. We know one lofty elm that has 

 had a nest of this species in its trunk for five years 

 in succession. The nest-hole is excavated by the 

 old birds, and in many cases we have discovered 

 the whereabouts of the nest by the heap of chips 



