CLASS II. AYES: 
ORDER 3. SCANSORES. 
211 
larvffi. Wlien they find such a spot thej dig into it with great energy, and seize the concealed 
prize. In climbing they are assisted by the stiff points of their tail-feathers. Their tongue is 
extensile, and thus facihtates the capture of their insect prey. They feed also on fruits and seeds. 
Genus PICUS : Picus. — This includes the Great Black "Woodpecker — Pic Noir of the 
French — P. martins^ sixteen inches long ; the body black above, somewhat duller beneath ; a 
bright blood-red spot on the head. Its flight is short, usually limited to a transit from tree to 
tree ; its nest is made in a hollow tree ; the eggs are two or three, and ivory-white. On the 
wing it resembles a crow ; its note is loud and harsh. It inhabits Northern Europe, being rare 
in the south. 
The Green Woodpecker, P. viridis — Pic Vert of the French ; Pico Verde of the Italians ; 
Grun-Specht of the Germans — is called in England by the various names of Woodspite^ Rain- 
Bird^ Rain-Fowl^ High-Hoe^ Heivhole^ Awl-Bird^ PicTc-a-Tree^ Yappingale^ Yaffil^ Yaffle, Yaffler^ 
Woodwall, Whei-Pe, and Popinjay. It is thirteen inches long ; the neck, back, wings, wing- 
coverts, and scapulars deep green, tinged with yellow ; rump sulphur-yellow ; under surface ash- 
green. It is a brilliant and beautiful bird ; nestles and roosts in holes in trees, which it some- 
times enlarges, or even wholly excavates, using its beak as chisel and hammer ; the eggs are five 
to seven, laid on loose fragments of wood ; its common note is a loud, harsh sound, which 
Buflfon thought a doleful cry of misery, while others compare it to a vociferous laugh. It is said 
to be most merry before an impending shower, and hence is called Rain-Bird. It is found 
thronghout Europe. 
THK GaEAT SPOTTED WOODPECKEE. TUE MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKBE. 
The Great Spotted Woodpecker, P. major, is nine and a half inches long ; found through 
out Europe. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, P. minor — Petit Pic of the French, and Grasr 
Speclit of the Germans — is five and three-quarter inches long ; variously colored with white and 
black ; lives in woods, orchards, and nursery-grounds ; is distributed over Europe, and is common 
in England. The Middle Spotted W^oodpecker, P. medius, is a lustrous black above ; beneath 
crimson, and a red spot on the head; found in Southern Europe. The White-backed Wood- 
pecker, P. leuconotus, is ten inches long, and inhabits the north of Europe and Siberia. The 
Gray Woodpecker, P. canus, feeds on ants, and inhabits Northern Europe. The Three-toed 
