WOODPECKERS. 



56; 



countries to China, and north to Eastern .Siberia and Japan, while to the southward 

 it is found throughout the whole of the Malay countries and islands, extend- 

 ing eastwards to the islands of Lombok and Flores. The habits of these 

 woodpeckers are similar to those of the rest of the family, but they are stated 

 to nest in horizontal boughs like a barbet, instead of hollowing out a hole for 

 themselves in the trunk of a tree. 



crimson-Headed This {Lepocestes pyrrops) and the other species of the same 



Bay woodpecker, genus are characterised by their very long and stout bills; the 

 nostrils being exposed, and not, as in the case of most woodpeckers, hidden by 



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THE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 



plumelets. This feature, and the very short tail in proportion to their size, 

 may have been brought about by the peculiar habits of the birds, for 

 Davison says that he was greatly puzzled when he first came across the species, 

 and could hardly believe that it was a woodpecker at all. 



Rufous Remarkable for their entirely rufous plumage, and for their 



woodpeckers, nearly obsolete first toe, the claw on which is scarcely to be traced, 

 the rufous woodpeckers (Microptemus) also lack the nasal "shelf" on the bill. 

 Five species of the genus are known, ranging from India and China to the Malayan 

 countries and islands. Mr. Oates describes the Burmese species (M. phceoceps 

 as a very silent bird, seldom uttering a note, and creeping about in a quiet 



