WOODPECKER. 347 



by means of the tongue, in the manner of the Wryneck ; they are 

 accused also of preying- on bees. 



It is not an uncommon bird throughout the Continent of Europe, 

 and is found as high North as Lapmark, where it is called Zhiaine ; 

 also the West of Russia, but disappears towards Siberia;* said to be 

 common in Egypt.f 



The Green Woodpecker is known in the various Counties of 

 England by very different names; such are the Rain Bird, Woodspite 

 and Woodwal, Yaffer or Yaffingale, High-hole and Hew-hole ; also 

 the Awl Bird, from its boring the trees; and from its likeness in 

 colour to a Parrot, the Poppinjay : the note, at a distance, is not 

 unlike that of a person laughing. There is a peculiar kind of scent 

 in the plumage of this bird. 



A. — Picus viridis Mexicanus, Bris. iv. 16. Id. 8vo. ii. 46. 



Ardea Mexicana altera, Sebai. 100. t. 64. 3. 



Jaculator niitella rubra, Klein Av. 127. 3. 



Pic verd, Ferm. Surin. ii. 169. Gen. Syn. ii. p. 579: 25. A. 



This is a trifle larger than our Species ; length thirteen inches and 

 a half. Crown red ; beneath the ears a spot of the same ; rest of the 

 head, neck, and under parts varied with pale green and yellow ; the 

 back and wings darker green ; rump yellowish ; the quills chestnut, 

 marked with white spots ; tail green, spotted with black ; bill and 

 legs dusky. 



Inhabits Mexico. Although Seba calls this an Ardea in his plate, 

 and the toes are placed three before and one behind, yet I cannot 

 form any other idea of the bird than its being a Woodpecker, and 

 varying not greatly from the European Species. 



* Arct. Zool. f Sonnini Trav.m. 319. Several observations may be 



found in Ray on the Creation, and Derham's Phys. Theol. p. 123, 339, 342. 



Y y 2 



