THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKEE. 157 



ADDITIONAL. Of the Pied, or Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 

 MACGILLIVBAY writes, "that it is extensively distributed in Eng- 

 land and Scotland ; but in all parts is rare, although specimens 

 are not unfrequently obtained. It is a permanent resident, and 

 has been found breeding in various districts. In England, where 

 it has been found from the northern counties to those bordering 

 on the channel, it is more common than in Scotland, though less 

 numerous than the Green Woodpecker." 



MONTAGHJ states, that " it rarely descends to the ground in 

 search of food, and more frequently makes that jarring noise for 

 which the Woodpeckers are distinguished than either of the 

 other species, especially when disturbed from the nest, which," 

 he continues, "w r e had an opportunity of observing. It was with 

 difficulty the bird was made to quit her eggs ; for, notwithstand- 

 ing a chisel and mallet were used to enlarge the hole, she did not 

 attempt to fly out till the hand was introduced, when she quitted 

 the tree at another opening. The eggs were five in number, per- 

 fectly white and glossy, weighing about one drachm, or rather 

 more. They were deposited two feet below the opening, on the 

 decayed wood, without the smallest appearance of a nest. As 

 soon as the female had escaped, she flew to a decayed branch of 

 a neighbouring tree, and there began the jarring noise before 

 mentioned, which was soon answered by the male from a distant 

 part of the wood, who soon joined his mate, and both continued 

 these vibrations, trying different branches, till they found the 

 most sonorous." 



Mr, HAELEY, of Leicester, writes respecting this species as 

 follows : " We have the Greater Spotted Woodpecker here also, 

 but it is not quite so common as the green one. It affects the 

 deep umbrageous woods of Oakley and Piper. In Worcester- 

 shire and Herefordshire, I have found it upon the moss-grown 

 apple trees, particularly the very aged ones. From the attention 

 I have paid to its habits, I think I say the truth, when I affirm 

 that it affects the tops of trees more than its congener does. The 

 common people here, who have a knowledge of the bird, cal] it 

 French Magpie ; and in the counties of Salop and Stafford it is 

 called the Woodpie." 



In reference to the particular sound made by this bird when 

 seeking its food, PENNANT remarks : " By putting the point of 

 its bill into the crack of the limb of a large tree, and making a 

 quick tremulous motion with its head, it occasions a sound as if 

 the tree was splitting, which alarms the insects, and induces 

 them to quit their recesses ; this it repeats every minute or two 

 for half an hour, and will then fly off to another tree, generally 

 fixing itself near the top for the same purpose. The noise may 

 be distinctly heard for naif a mile. This bird will also keep its 



