WHITE-RUM PED WOODPECKER. 
U.s 
Ernest Delaybe. It is included in tlie birds of Greece, 
by Count Mlible and Dr. Lindermayer. Mr. AVheel- 
wright writes me word that it is spread over Scandi- 
navia, but appears to be more common in the midland 
districts. “They do not, however, breed with us, but 
in the thick fir forests of North Wermerland. It breeds 
also in Gothland, but is a rare winter migrant to Scania. 
It seems to prefer level tracts to stony rises. It is by 
no means shy, and often comes in winter about the wood 
fences round the houses; but in the forest it is generally 
seen high up on the top of dead trees. In manners 
and habits it resembles the Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 
and the cry is much the same. Nilsson says that they 
are seen generally in families in the autumn and winter. 
This I cannot corroborate. I never met, in our forest, 
in winter, more than two together, but if you shot 
one its partner was never far off. They breed very 
commonly in Smaland. It has not been identified in 
Denmark.” 
In Germany the White-rumped Woodpecker is both 
migratory and stationary. In the late autumn or 
winter it is found in the great forests, and comes 
thence into the neighbourhood of houses, fruit gar- 
dens, Gllages, or even towns, where it dwells very 
confidingly. 
On the wing it is very like our Greater Spotted 
Woodpecker, and its voice differs but little from that 
of any of its allied species. It feeds upon insects 
found under the bark, maggots, caterpillars, and other 
larvfe. Like the Grey Woodjiecker it is also very 
fond of ants and their eggs. Naumann says that one 
was shot in Silesia which was supposed to have been 
killing the bees from the hive, but, as none of these 
insects were found in the stomach, we may, I think. 
