GREEN WOODPECKER. 238 



The larvse of butterflies and beetles form part of its food ; 

 also the larvse and eggs of wasps and humble-bees. The 

 search of this bird in obtaining its food is chiefly confined to 

 the insects and larvse that are found just below the upper 

 bark of the tree, or in the cracks and holes formed by decay, 

 as it does not break into the wood like the black woodpecker ; 

 flies, spiders, &c, all are brought out of their retreat by the 

 assistance of its beautifully-adapted instrument, the tongue 

 with its barbed tip, which has besides a glutinous material on 

 its surface, to which all small substances stick when it is 

 introduced into some hole or rent. 



The Green Woodpecker breeds in woods of mixed timber, 

 always choosing a tree which is internally decayed, although 

 it may appear healthy from the outside ; they will frequently 

 resume an old nest or cleanse it out, and they will even 

 return to the same place year after year if they are not 

 frightened away. The preparations for breeding begin as 

 early as February, and the female deposits her beautifully 

 polished white eggs, six to eight in number, on the bare 

 shavings of the hole, where the young show themselves after 

 about eighteen days' incubation. The parents are also very 

 much attached to their young, which they foster jointly even 

 after they are full-grown ; but when they are considered ready 

 to turn out, the whole brood starts at once, following their 

 parents. In case their eggs are taken from them, they will 

 lay as many more in a short time ; but if they lose their 

 young brood, they are said not to breed again the same 

 year. The length of this beautiful bird is from twelve to 

 thirteen inches and a half, the tail measures four inches and 

 a half, of which the closed wings cover hardly one 

 half; the wing measures seven inches ; the first quill-fea- 

 ther is very short, the fourth and fifth the longest in the 

 wing. The tail consists of twelve feathers, of which the two 

 middle feathers are the longest, and the rest decrease in 



