440 CLASS AVES. 



on the top of the head, and the female is without 

 that colour. This species goes less to the south- 

 ward, and is more rare in France, than the preceding, 

 with which it corresponds in habits. Ants are its 

 favourite food. 



Greater Spotted Woodpecker. (Picus Major.) Enl. 

 196 the male, 595 female. Naum. 134. 



Of the size of a thrush ; varied above with black 

 and white ; the back and the rump black ; under- 

 neath white ; about the vent red, with a red spot also 

 on the occiput of the male. The young has nearly 

 the whole cap red ; prefers green trees ; frequently 

 approaches human habitations, but scarcely ever 

 descends to the ground. 



Middle Spotted Woodpecker. (Picus Medius.) Enl. 

 598. Naum. 136. 



The size of a sparrow ; varied with black and white 

 above ; greyish white underneath ; red upon the head 

 of the male only. Of the north and middle of 

 Europe. It is said that they descend to the ground 

 in search of ants ; but Naumann asserts that this 

 opinion is without foundation. 



In the north-east of Europe there is a species 

 rather larger, though similar to our first ; but this 

 has always the lower part of the back and the rump 

 white, and the cap of the male red. It comes some- 

 times into Germany. It is the Picus Leuconotos of 

 Bechstein. (Naum. 35. t. Q5.) 



