28 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



ranges ; indeed, it rarely visits tracts covered with any other description of trees, except during its 

 wanderings from one place to another. Like all other European Woodpeckers, this species does not 

 migrate, and but rarely travels to any great distance from its native haunts. 



The Black Woodpecker is shy and retiring in its habits, and, if approached, studiously conceals 

 itself from observation by creeping round the tree or branch on which it happens to be at work. Its 

 food is obtained by perforating the bark or searching the fissures of trees, a process which it performs 

 with great dexterity, the tail being habitually employed as a means of support whilst climbing. The 





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I'd 



THE WOODPECKER TREE-CHOPPER (DeildrOpUx picus). 



night is passed in holes in the trunk of some old tree ; and in a cavity of this description the glossy 

 white eggs are also deposited. We learn from Temminck that the Black Woodpecker lays three eggs ; 

 and that when other food is scarce it will eat seeds or berries. Its voice somewhat resembles a harsh, 

 loud laugh. 



The GIANT WOODPECKERS {Campephilus), a group comprising the largest members of the 

 family, inhabit America. These birds are characterised by their powerful body, large head, and long, 

 thin neck. Their beak is long, straight, and strongly formed ; their feet muscular, and the tarsi 

 unfeathered. Of the toes, the outermost of the hinder pair exceeds the rest in length. The wings 

 and tall are lon-g, the third and fourth quills of the former being the longest. The plumage is black, 



