806 On the Occurrence of some of the Rarer Species of Birds 



differences, but not so marked as to make a substantial difference ; 

 nor are they so decided as to render it improbable that any change 

 should take place after the first moult. But the crimson head, smaller 

 size, and slighter bill, convince me that it must be a distinct variety. 

 Being in doubt, I looked in at the Salisbury Museum to solve my 

 difficulties, and there my convictions were unexpectedly strengthened, 

 for I found two specimens of Picus major of the usual appearance, 

 and one, evidently an adult male, of the second sort; the crimson 

 on the head of this latter bird covering the whole crown of the head, 

 as in my younger bird, and being much brighter, as you would 

 expect it to be in an adult specimen. I wish this matter may be 

 cleared up, and perchance it will be in Professor Newton's new 

 edition of Yarrell ; but I cannot help thinking that there must be 

 three distinct species of Spotted Woodpeckers amongst us, the middle 

 sort of which has never yet been definitely and accurately des- 

 cribed.' 



Picus Minor. " The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker." I may say 

 not at all uncommon in our immediate neighbourhood, nor are they 

 in Berkshire or Somerset, in both which counties I have often ob- 

 served them. From their small size they doubtless frequently escape 

 detection, and people who hear the peculiar jarring noise they so 

 often make are content to say, as a rule, " Ah ! there's a Woodpecker 

 at work " (if they should know enough about birds to know as much 

 as this), and would not credit that so small a workman could make 

 so great a noise. It is a beautiful little bird, most lively and ani- 

 mated. One of its notes is a sharp reiterated cry, not altogether 

 unlike that of a Kestrel — a clear sharp note, repeated six or seven 

 times in rotation. I have seen it all round the Vicarage in various 

 places — climbing about our fine old elms and poplars ; on the apple 

 trees in the garden ; on the osiers in the withy-beds ; and once I 

 surprised it in my garden, where I had just time to see it was busily- 

 occupied with something on the ground, probably an emmet's nest, 

 ere it rose. One winter the gardener at the Moat shot some five 

 or six specimens of this little bird, until I was afraid he would ex- 

 terminate them altogether, but now the close time will doubtless 

 prove their friend. Last spring, when at my old home at Wokingham 



