BRITISH BIRDS. 281 



which falls down from the corners of the mouth, 

 and pointing forward, crosses the fore part of the 

 neck, the hinder part of which is also black from 

 the nape to the shoulders; the under parts of the 

 body are dirty white ; the outside feathers of the 

 tail white, with a few spots of black; the legs lead 

 colour. Buffon says, that in winter it draws near 

 houses and vineyards, that it shelters in holes of 

 trees, and sometimes disputes possession with the 

 Coal Titmouse, which it compels to give up its 

 lodging.* 



* Another British species, the Hairy Woodpecker (Picus Vill- 

 osus), has been described by some authors, but we have never been 

 able to obtain a specimen of it. 



VOL. I. 2 N 



