MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 147 



and tolerably plentiful in Switzerland, Italy, and France. 

 It is plentiful in some parts of Siberia, and is met with 

 all tlie year round in Denmark. It occurs only acci- 

 dentally in Holland. 



This species has been thought by some ornithologists 

 to be the young or only a variety of Picus major. But 

 they are very distinct both in ornamentation and habits. 



The female has the occiput and vertex red, as well 

 as the male, which is not the case with P. major. P. 

 medius never remains long in pine woods, where P. 

 major loves to dwell. It is a more active bird, and 

 will adroitly avoid any dispute leading to a fight with 

 that bird; but it will give battle to one of its own 

 species. Its voice is similar, but its call-note weaker. 



The Middle Spotted Woodpecker dwells among the 

 thickest foliage of the highest trees, particularly oaks, 

 elms, and aspens. It is not often found on the ground, 

 but like its congeners is generally seen scaling trees, 

 which it will ascend even to the top bough and perch 

 there. Its habitation is in the highest hole it can find, 

 and it will continue to use the same tree for years if 

 not driven away. It is a most assiduous "tapper," and 

 may often be seen on the under side of a decayed 

 bough working away; the entrance hole turned towards 

 the ground. 



It is a very handsome bird, perhaps the most so of 

 all the European Woodpeckers. It is restless but not 

 shy, and in pairing and breeding seasons very incautious. 

 It can make good use of its legs in hopping on the 

 ground, or from branch to branch. It has a whirring 

 wavy flight, and appears on the wing a slenderer bird 

 than its ally the Greater Spotted. 



Naumann says that this bird will feed not only on 

 insects but also upon many tree-seeds, and to assist in 



