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BRITISH BIRDS. 



insects and their eggs, which constitute its food. 

 Although very common, it is not seen without 

 difficulty, from the ease with which it escapes to 

 the opposite side of the tree. It builds its nest 

 early in spring, in a hole of a tree; lays from five 

 to seven eggs, of a pure white, marked with red 

 spots. The sexes differ very little in plumage, 

 and the moult takes place once a year. 



2i*s 



