73 



Middendorff observed it on the Jenesei, 62° N. lat., and several times on the Stanowoj Mountains, 

 also southward to Udskoj-Ostrog. Eadde found it on the Amoor, where it frequented the pine- 

 woods in winter, often changing its locality. In the non-evergreen woods on the Central Amoor 

 it was rare. 



Although possessing one toe less than the other species of Woodpeckers, this bird is an 

 equally agile climber, and is indeed, if any thing, more adroit in its movements than many of its 

 congeners. Wherever the fire has devastated a portion of the forest, there it may be looked 

 for, as the insects which frequent the scathed trees, and soon render them useless for all 

 purposes of commerce, form its chief food. Especially during the bright clear winter mornings 

 its busy tapping may be heard ; and the number of noxious insects devoured by one bird is 

 almost incredible. 



In its movements it is quick and active, and will rapidly move in a spiral direction up a 

 tree, carefully examining every likely place in search of its food, and then suddenly flying to 

 another tree will continue its search with the greatest assiduity. Like other Woodpeckers it 

 often, if not invariably, undertakes journeys during the autumn and winter season, impelled 

 probably by the scarcity of suitable food in its summer home ; but as soon as the spring advances, 

 it returns again to its old haunts for the purpose of nidification. When there is a scarcity of 

 insect food it will at times feed on berries, but only when driven to do so from a failure of its 

 usual support. The nest is, like that of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a hole, which the 

 bird itself hacks out; and on the small particles of wood on the bottom of this nest-hole it 

 deposits its eggs, generally from four to six in number. A series of eggs in Dresser's collection, 

 obtained in Tornea, Lapland, measure from f§ by |-§ to f-g- by f-§- inch, and are pure glossy white 

 in colour. In general shape and size they closely resemble eggs of the Middle Spotted 

 Woodpecker. 



Dr. Eey tells us that he has measured twenty eggs of this bird from Muonio, Lapland, the 

 average of which is 24*2 by 18'6 millims., the largest measuring 26'0 by 19 - 0, and the smallest 

 22-5 by 18-75 millims. The breeding-time is from the 5th to the 15th of June, and the number 

 of eggs from four to five. 



Concerning the species in Norway, our friend Mr. R. Collett further writes to us : — " It 

 ranges up the fell-sides like P. minor, and breeds in the highest fir growth or even in the birch 

 region. It affects the large woods in the subalpine regions, where it is tolerably numerous ; and 

 in the autumn it wanders into the lowlands, and is then found in non-evergreen woods, where it 

 is at times caught in snares set for Thrushes, and therefore probably feeds on berries. In October 

 1871 I examined the stomachs of three individuals, and found them to contain larva? and the 

 perfect insect of a species of Hylastes, and of a species of Cecidomyia, a few larva? of Bhagium 

 indagator, one of the greatest pests to our forests, and a few other insects, chiefly' coleoptera." 



The old male is described from a Norwegian specimen shot by Mr. George Gillett, and 

 kindly lent to us by him, the female being a Stockholm bird given to us by M. Meves. The 

 pair figured in the Plate are also in our own collection, from Switzerland, presented to us by our 

 friend Mr. H. J. Elwes. 



