PICINE. 277 
THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
DENDROCOPUS MINOR (Linnzus). 
Owing to its small size and its partiality for tall trees, such as 
elms and poplars, this little ‘ Barred” Woodpecker frequently 
escapes observation ; but, though less widely distributed than the 
preceding species, it is the more numerous in many parts of the 
southern half of England, being, in fact, rather common near 
London and along the valley of the Thames, as well as in the 
midlands, especially Northamptonshire. In Yorkshire it becomes 
scarce and very local, as it is in Wales; while in Lancashire and 
more northern counties it is extremely rare. Mr. Service informs 
me that three examples have been obtained in the Solway district, 
at long intervals, since 1860. In Ireland only six or seven occur- 
rences are on record ; and none of them are recent. 
In Scandinavia the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker breeds as far 
north as lat. 70°, while in Russia it is found up to Archangel and to 
lat. 67° in the valleys of the Petchora and the Ob; though eastward, 
to the Pacific, its northerly range is rather less extensive. Forms 
which vary slightly from the type are found in Kamchatka, Japan, 
and Northern China, but their southern limits in Asia are as yet 
undefined ; while in Asia Minor another occurs, and yet another in 
the Caucasus. Our bird is generally distributed throughout the 
greater part of Europe; but, though common in Southern Russia 
