ii2 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



rapidly that the head appears blurred, and the sound can be heard half a mile 

 away. The nest and eggs as Green Woodpecker's. 



Woodpecker, Green often called the YAFFLE, from its familiar laughing 

 cry, which has been syllabled " Plen-plen-plen." There is no mistaking this 

 brilliant coloured bird, with its bright green upper parts, its crimson crown 

 and nape, white spots on wing, and yellowish under parts. It has a curious 

 undulating flight, which is very characteristic, as if " riding on invisible waves." 

 It prefers light sandy soils, where ants and their nests may be found abundantly, 

 for on this insect it is fond of feeding, as well as on other insects and their larvae. 

 Here a curious point may be noted. Both this bird and the Great Spotted 

 Woodpecker have a strong, pungent smell, which is said to be due to their eating 

 the offensive-smelling larvae of the Goat Moth. It appears to prefer old and 

 decaying oak trees for nesting purposes. The nest is bored by the bird, chips 

 of wood being the material on which the five or more glossy white eggs are 

 deposited. The bird possesses a wonderful tongue, capable of being protruded 

 a long distance from the mouth. This weapon is barbed at the tip and is 

 covered with sticky saliva. Its value in " sticking " insects is apparent. 



III. BIRDS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A WOOD PIGEON 16 INCHES LONG. 



(Those under this head vary from 13 inches for example, Waterhen 

 to 18 inches for example. Common Gull.) 



Chough the RED-LEGGED DAW, or CORNISH DAW one of the Crow 

 family, distinguished by its black coat gleaming with blue and purple metallic 

 gloss, its red legs, and long red, curved bill. A scarce bird, practically confined 

 to Devon, Cornwall, Isle of Man, and West Coast of Ireland. 



It nests in holes and crevices, in cliffs, caves, and occasionally old buildings 

 using sticks, stems, roots, etc. ; the eggs (three to five) sometimes white, 

 creamy, brown, or even pinkish white, darker spots and blotches. 



The Chough eats "everything" its usual food being worms, insects, 

 crustaceans, berries. Its ordinary note is a loud, clear " K'chare." 



Coot. A rather thick, heavy-looking bird, of a uniform dark colour, with a 

 white forehead and beak, and green legs (the feet having curious lobed toes). 

 Dives much after its food ; often seen with the Moorhen ; makes a large nest 

 of dead vegetation in reeds or sedges, with seven or eight eggs, pale buff-white 

 with small brown spots ; haunts large ponds and lakes. 



Utters long single call-notes, one of which is like " Coot." 



It is found with us all the year round. It feeds chiefly on water plants, 

 but also on insects and molluscs, grain and berries. 



Cuckoo. Every one knows something at least about this bird, but not all 

 can describe its appearance. In flight, it has somewhat the appearance of a 

 hawk, with its rather long, fan-shaped tail and general colouring. Above 



