Book II. O^^CIT HO LOgr. i^ 



Chap. V. 

 Of fiver al forts of Woodpeckers, 



k- I- 



The greateji blacky Woodpecker. 



THe Cock, which we defcribed, weighed ten ounces and an half: being itt 

 length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail eighteen inches and an 

 half $ in breadth between the tips of the Wings fpread twenty nine inches 

 and an half. 



Its Bill from the point to the Angles of the mouth was two inches and an half long, 

 ftrong, hard, triangular, as in the reft of this kind. Above the Nofthrils a hard 

 wrinkle is produced beyond the middle of the Bill. That part of the Bill which is 

 below the wrinkle is white, the reft black. The Tongue, when extended, is of a 

 very great length. It can ihoot it out and draw it back at pleafure, which is com- 

 mon to it with the reft of this kind. Its Nofthrils are round, covered with reflected 

 hairs : Its Head very great. The Irides of the Ey& are of a pale yellow. 



The colour of the whole body is black, excepting the crown of the head, which 

 down to the Nofthrils is of a lovely red or Vermilion colour. 



The number of flag-feathers in each Wing is nineteen, of which the fifth and fixth 

 arethelongeft} theSarcel or pinion feather is verylhort, and not greater than thofe 

 of the fecond row. ,. 



The Tail is made up of ten feathers, of which the outmoft are the fhorteft, the 

 reft on both fides gradually longer to the two middlemoft, which are the longeft of 

 all. All but the outmoft ( which as we faid are the leaft and fhorteft ) are ftiff, fharp- 

 pointed, bending inward, about feven inches long, upon which in climbing trees they. 

 lean and fupport their bodies. 



The Legs on the forepart are feathered down half way, behind no longer than the 

 knees. The Feet are of a lead colour, It hath two back toes, as the reft of its kind i 

 The Claws ftrong and great, except that of the lefler back- toe, which is very 

 fmall. 



The Gall of a dark green : The Tefticles yellowifh : The Guts (eventeen inches 

 long, great and lax : The ftomach alio lax and membranaceous, full of Hexapods 

 and Ants. It altogether wants the Appendices or blind Guts, as the reft of this 

 Tribe. 



This Bird we found in the Market at Ratisbone in Germany to be fold, killed not far 

 from that City. It is not found in England that we know of. 



{. ii. 



The green Woodpecker, or Wdodfyite, called alfo the Ram-fowl, High-hoe, and Hew-hole. 



THe Cock weighed fix ounces three quarters. Its length from the Bill to the 

 Toes was eleven inches, to the end of the Tail thirteen and an half. The 

 Wings extended were equal to twenty one inches and an half. The Bill from the 

 point to the Angles of the mouth was almoft two inches long, black, hard, ftrong, 

 triangular, ending in a blunt point. A reddiili dusky circle immediately encompafles 

 the Pupil of the Eye 3 the reft of the Iris being white. The Tongue when ftretched 

 out is of a very great length, ending in a (harp, bony fubftance, rough underneath, 

 wherewith, as with a Dart, it ftrikes Infects. The top of the Head is of a Crimfon or 

 Vermilion colour, fpotted with black. The Eyes are encompaffed with black, under 

 the black on each fide is another Vermilion fpot. The Throat,Breaft and Belly are of a 

 pale green : The Back, Neck, and lefler rows of covert feathers of the Wings green i 

 The Rump of a pale yellow or ftraw-colour, as Aldrovandus rightly exprefies it. The 

 feathers under the Tail are crofTed with tranfverie dusky lines. 



In each Wing are nineteen prime feathers, befide the outmoft ( which is very fhort) 

 of a dusky colour, and marked with femicircular white fpots. But more particular- 

 ly, the outer Webs of the * interiour flags are green, the inner Webs dusky, with * Thofe fisxf 

 femicircular white fpots ; The outer Webs of the exteriour flags dusky, and painted thebod y< 



with 



