NESTING-SERIES 01' BRITISH BIRDS. 165 



about the middle of May. The food consists almost entirely of timber- 

 haunting insects. 



Hertfordshire, June. 



Presented by A. M. Blake, Esq., C.B. 



No. 78. GREATER SPOTTED "WOODPECKER. 



(Dendrocopus major.) 



Though nowhere abundant, this species is generally distributed over 

 the wooded portions of England and Wales, as well as the south-eastern 

 part of Scotland. Over the rest of Scotland it is not infrequently met with 

 during the autumn migration, but very few examples have been recorded 

 from Ireland. It frequents the highest branches of trees, feeding on 

 insects and their larvse, as well as on berries and nuts, and, owing to 

 its retiring nature, frequently escapes observation . In April, a circular 

 hole is hewn by the birds in the trunk or branch of some tree, a dead 

 one being usually selected, and, within the stem, a chamber is excavated 

 for the reception of the eggs. These are white, from five to seven in 

 number, and deposited on the bare wood about the middle of May. 



Norfolk, June. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



No. 79. -WRYNECK. (lynx torquilla.) 



This spring visitor, also known as-the " Cuckoo^s-mate " or "Cuckoo's- 

 leader," arrives in England towards the end of March or beginning 

 of April, but is rarely met with in Scotland, except during the autumn 

 migration, and only known in Ireland as an accidental straggler. 

 It frequents orchards and open parks, rather than forest-districts, 

 and feeds on insects, especially on ants and their larvae. It breeds 

 in hollow trees, an apple-tree being frequently chosen, and about 

 the middle of May makes use of any convenient hole to deposit its 

 eggs, which are white and from six to ten in number. Its common 

 name is derived from its singular habit of twisting and stretching its 

 neck. 



Norfolk, July. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



No. 80. WOOD-PIGEON. (Columba palumbus.) 



A resident in the British Islands, where it is generally distributed in 

 wooded districts and commonly known as the King-Dove, Cushat, or 



