THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER 127 



The Lesser Spotted species, althougn not so widely 

 distributed, is even more common in the south of Eng- 

 land, and near London. One was shot lately in Scot- 

 land, as "a very rare bird." It is probably chiefly 

 owing to the cutting down of old forests that they are not 

 found in Scotland. Now and again they may even be 

 seen in Kensington Gardens. 



We have no picture of the Lesser Spotted Wood- 

 pecker (Dendrocopus minor). It is perhaps oftener 

 present with us than is supposed, being smaller than its 

 relatives. Also it frequents taller trees. I have seen 

 numbers of these bright busy creatures in Hungary, in 

 the poplars, along the river Waag, in the foothills of the 

 Carpathians. Its colouring is much the same as the 

 Greater Spotted species, only the markings are different 

 and it is only just over five inches in length, whereas its 

 near congener is just over nine inches. The male bird 

 makes the same loud vibrating noise in the trees as the 

 latter. 



The Green Woodpecker is 12 inches in length. 

 The mantle is bright olive-green. The crown of the 

 male bird, as far down as the nape, is fiery red, also the 

 moustaches. The lores and cheeks black, is less crimson 

 on the head of the female, and the moustaches are black. 

 The outer feathers of the wing are nearly black with 

 white flecks. It has two front and two back toes; the 

 claws, strong, curved and adapted for clinging. The 

 tail feathers strong and suitable for pressing. Beak 

 leaden-grey, strong, with an edge like an adze ; worm 

 shaped tongue which can be greatly extended. Having 

 selected a suitable tree, it makes its nest hole at a medium 

 height, with a narrow entrance and lays in it six 

 sometimes, but rarely eight dazzling snow white eggs. 



