140 



GREY WOODPECKER. 



fuller than the beginning thereof. The time is slower 

 than that of the Green Woodpecker, and the tone 

 fuller and less sharp, and an observant ear can easily 

 distinguish one from the other. The male sometimes 

 also makes a whizzing noise as it sits on a hard 

 branch on the summit of a tree, violently hammering 

 the same, so that the tone is brought out as f orrrr,' 

 but shorter than the other allied species. This noise 

 is only heard in the bird under consideration during 

 the pairing season, or when the female is sitting. 



The Grey Woodpecker lives principally upon ants, 

 when it can get them. When they fail it eats bark 

 beetles, various larva?, and, rarely, elderberries. Among 

 ants, Formica rubra and fusca are its favourites, and 

 the abundance of these insects generally determines 

 the choice of a summer residence. The yonng are 

 fed with the eggs or pupae. In summer it lives on 

 no other food, and in winter it knows where to look 

 for them. 



The nest is formed about the beginning of May, 

 in the holes of trees, especially oak. They are not 

 so careful in the choice of a situation as the Black 

 or 'Green Woodpecker. It is generally in a tree easy 

 to climb, and not very high np. The eggs are six in 

 number, and very like those of the Green Woodpecker. 

 They are, however considerably smaller, and more pear- 

 shaped in form. The egg shell is of the finest grain 

 — tender and thin, so that when fresh, the yolks shine 

 through the peculiarly clear and enamel-polished white. 

 This effect is destroyed by incubation. The male and 

 female sit by turns, and are so fearless that they will 

 almost permit themselves to be caught at this time. 

 The young remain a long time in the nest, and are 

 fed by the old ones some time alter they leave it. 



