curiously shuttle-shaped form: an appearance due to the 
shortness of its tail, as may be seen by a reference to the 
excellent coloured Plate. 
The identification of birds in flight will be rendered easier 
for the novice if he makes a practice of ‘‘ expecting’ to find 
particular birds in particular places. That is to say, the 
haunts of birds are governed by their stomachs—they must 
not stray far from the source of their food. In a wood, then, 
you may “expect” to find woodpeckers—though you will 
often be disappointed, for they are by no means always to be 
seen. But the task of identification will be easier if one has 
a mental picture ready of the birds appropriate to the place. 
The green woodpecker, our largest native species, often 
betrays itself by its remarkable cry, reminiscent of a laugh— 
‘ha, ha, ha,” and “ pleu, pleu, pleu.”’ Keep quite still, and 
presently, as likely as not, it will suddenly make its appear- 
ance with a rapid, undulating flight. As it alights on some 
neighbouring tree-trunk, its identity will be finally estab- 
lished by its green back and wings, yellow rump, and crimson 
crown. It ascends the tree by jerky leaps. Where ant- 
hills abound it may often be seen on the ground, moving 
about with awkward hops, exploring the hills for ants. The 
greater and lesser spotted woodpecker may also sometimes 
be seen here, especially if there is much old timber about. 
In spring its presence is often made known by a peculiar 
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