154 THE GREEN WOODPECKER. 



killed by the forester as a destructive bird. Sometimes it merely 

 knocks at the tree, to frighten out the insects ; and this it 

 does so quickly, as to produce on the ear the sensation of a 

 continuous sound. 



Such is its wild and restless disposition in confinement, 

 that it must be restrained with a chain. 



Food. In a wild state it feeds upon the maggots and insects 

 which are found in the wood and under the bark of trees ; 

 ants, the larvae of wasps, and in winter, even bees. 



In confinement it will eat nuts, ants' eggs, and meat. 



Breeding. The female lays, in some hole of a tree, three or 

 four white eggs. The young ones, if it be desired to rear 

 them, must be taken out of the nest when half fledged. The 

 old birds are untameable, and, as far as my experience goes, 

 will not even in confinement eat. 



Attractive Qualities. The only recommendation possessed 

 by this bird is the beauty of its plumage, as it is always wild 

 and untractable ; and never, under any circumstances, becomes 

 accustomed to captivity. A pair, however, form an agreeable 

 variety in an aviary, and it is curious to see them crack their 

 nuts. 



ADDITIONAL. "The Woodpecker," says MUDIE, " is especially 

 a bird of the ancient forests. You do not find it in the hedge or 

 the coppice, where so many of the little birds, especially the sum- 

 mer migrants, build their nests, and spend their mid-days, when 

 the reflections of the sun come bright on all sides of the foliage, 

 in picking the soft caterpillars from the leaves, or capturing the 

 insects that resort thither for the purpose of depositing fresh 

 myriads; and when they have thus secured the shelter and 

 beauty of their habitation, farewell the evening, and again hail 

 the morning, with their joyous songs ; the aged tree is all to the 

 Woodpecker, and the Woodpecker is much to the aged tree." 



MACGILLIVRAY states that " this bird does not occur in any 

 part of the north or middle divisions of Scotland, and that if it 

 exists in the southern parts it must be extremely rare." MR. 

 YARRELL, he thinks, must have erred, in alleging it to be 

 " found over a great part, if not all, the wooded districts of 

 England and Scotland." Even in the north of England he says 

 it is of very uncommon occurrence ; but as we proceed south- 

 ward, it increases in frequency, and in some districts, especially 

 the southern and midland, it is by no means uncommon. It is 

 permanently resident, and does not appear to shift its quarters 

 much, remaining at all seasons in the woods, and occasionally 



