CHAPTER LXXV. 



The Greater Spotted Woodpecker. 



Picus major, Lin. ; VEpeiche, ou le Pic Varie, Buf. 



Desceiption and Character. — 'The Greater Spotted Woo3- 

 pecker is a much smaller bird than the Green Woodpecker, 

 being very little larger than a Starling ; neither is it so 

 elegant in appearance, although the diversity of its plumage 

 is attractive. In habit and general character it greatly 

 resembles the green variety, but dwells mostly in the upper 

 branches of trees, rarely descending to the ground. It strikes 

 the trees in a similar manner to its congeners, but more 

 rapidly and frequently, and shakes the loose bark with its 

 powerful bill in order to dislodge the insects. It climbs 

 about in an easy and dignified manner, but on the approach 

 of a pedestrian it instantly creeps behind a bough to shield 

 itself from observation, and remains concealed until the dis- 

 turber of its privacy has passed out of sight. 



The length of a fully-grown male is 9;^in., the tail measuring 

 31-in.; its weight is 2|oz. The bill is Jin. in length ; the 

 upper mandible is of a dark horn colour, and the lower horn 

 blue, and stout at the base ; on both sides of it are high, 

 angularly-formed ridges. The irides are reddish brown. The 

 forehead is pale cinnamon ; the crown, hind neck, shoulders, and 

 back, are black. At the back of the head is a large spot of 

 crimson. On each side of the hind neck is an elongated white 

 stripe. The cheeks, surrounding the eyes, are white, forming 

 a large elliptical eye-marking. From the root of the bill, 

 encircling the jaws, is a narrow crescent-formed line of black, 



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