THE SEARCHERS. 37 



Woodpecker, " is," says Gosse, " much more strictly an arboreal bird than that species. It climbs with 

 great ease and dexterity, traversing the trunks and limbs of trees in all directions — perpendicularly 

 or horizontally — and digging with great diligence and effect into the bark and wood for insects. In 

 Kensington Gardens, London, where this bird is quite common, it usually keeps about the highest 

 branches of lofty trees, and the loud tappings of its carpentry may frequently be heard ; though a fair 

 sight of its person is difficult to obtain, as it dodges from side to side of the trunk or branch on which 

 it happens to be with much cunning and adroitness whenever an observer approaches. It does not, 

 however, confine itself entirely to the tall trees, for it occasionally alights on pollards, as well as on the 

 rails and posts of fences, where, in the accumulated moss and lichen, or in the various holes and 

 crevices, it finds a harvest of spiders, ants, catei'pillars, and other insects ; while in tlie season it varies 

 its bill of fare by stealing cherries, plums, and other fruit." 



Colonel Montague gives the following instance of the devotion of the female of this species for 

 her young : — " It was with difficulty that the bird was made to quit her eggs ; for, notwithstanding 

 a chisel and mallet were used to enlarge the hole, she did not attempt to fly out until the hand was 

 introduced, when she quitted the tree at another opening." The eggs, from five to seven in number, 

 are pure glossy white. 



THE HARLEQUIN WOODPECKER. 



The Harlequin AVoodpecker {Fkuhis minor), as the least of all European Woodpeckers is 

 called, differs from its congeners in the coniparative shortness of its slightly conical beak, rounded tail, 

 and the very peculiar coloration of its plumage. In the male tlie brow is yellowish grey, the crown of 

 the head bright red, the upper part of the back entirely black, and the lower portion white, streaked 

 with black ; the whole of the wings are striped black and white, and relieved by a black line that 

 passes along the sides of the neck, which it thus divides from the grey belly, which is longitudinally 

 streaked with black at its sides. The centre tail-feathers are black, and those at the exterior of a 

 whitish hue, striped with black. The female is without the red patch on the head ; the young 

 resemble the mother, but are somewhat duller in their hues. In all the eye is )-eUowish bromi or 

 fiery red, the beak lead-grey, with black tip and culmen, and the foot dark grey. This species is six 

 inches long, and from eleven to eleven inches and a half broad ; the wing measures two inches and 

 three-quarters, and the tail two inches and a quarter. 



The habitat of the Harlequin Woodpecker extends over the whole of Europe and Central Asia, 

 and it is, we believe, occasionally seen in North-western Africa. Like its congeners, it does not 

 migrate, but only quits its native woodlands to wander over the face of the country during the spring 

 and autumn. At other seasons it keeps strictly within the limits of a certain spot selected as a home, 

 and which invariably contains a large hollow tree suitable as a sleeping-place. 



" In England," says Mr. Gould, " this small AVoodpecker is far more abundant than is generally 

 supposed. We have seldom sought for it in vain wherever large trees, particularly elms, grow in 

 sufficient numbers to invite its abode. Near London it is \Qxy common, and may be seen by an 

 attentive observer in many of the parks in the neighbourhood. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 

 appears to perform a certain daily round, traversing a given extent of district, and returning to the 

 same spot whence it began its route. la its actions it is very lively and alert. Unlike the Large 

 Woodpecker, it frequents the smaller and more elevated branches, which it traverses witli the utmost 

 ease and celerity. Should it perceive itself noticed it becomes shy, and retires behind the branches ; 

 if, however, closely engaged in searching for food it sometimes is so absorbed as to allow itself to be 

 closely approached without suspending its operations. When spring commences it becomes clamorous 

 and noisy, its call being an oft-repeated note, so closely resembling that of the Wryneck as to be 



