2 
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
portion of the insects are alive— a black heaving mass, about the size of a Blackbird’s egg, completely cramming 
the mouth and throat, and at times even forcing apart the upper and lower mandibles to a considerable extent. 
Although this W oodpcckcr, like others of the family, makes use of many varieties of trees for breeding- 
purposes, I remarked in certain districts almost every nest would be found in the same description of timber. 
In the Highlands (though few nests now occupied have come under my observation) I noticed this bird breeding 
in Scotch fir and birch. With scarcely a single exception the old borings I examined in the forests were in 
Scotch fir. Elm and oak appear most frequently resorted to in the more southern counties; but I have also 
met with broods in several varieties of fruit-trees as well as willow and fir. The last nest I examined was in a 
remarkably high Scotch fir in one of the Sussex forests. The tree was rotten in the heart; and the bird 
appeared to have first taken up its quarters at the time when the decomposition set in. The highest borin'-' 
was near the summit of the dead limb ; and at short intervals a fresh entrance had been made as the decay 
progressed. Nine holes were counted in a space of about fifteen or sixteen feet, the young birds being 
discovered on their usual bed about a foot or fifteen inches below the level of the lowest boring. The diameter 
of this hole was exactly 2J inches ; it was impossible to judge the size of the others, as decay had already set 
in round the edges. 
Towards the end of September 18GS the north-east coast of Scotland was visited by a large flight of 
■Woodpeckers, scattered birds being noticed in the district for at least ten days or a fortnight. Those that 
came under my own observation were, in several instances, in most unusual situations. I noticed a few on the 
coast near Dornoch ; and in the dusk of a misty evening, with the wind blowing strong from the east, I passed 
numbers fluttering along the sandy links, and sheltering among the rough bushes on the Ross-sliire side of 
the Dornoch Firth. They were especially numerous along the narrow strip of sand leading towards the Mickle 
Ferry. Judging by the worn and ragged condition of two or three I shot, and others that were picked up disabled, 
I imagine they must have met with rough weather on their passage, and also that the portion of the coast on 
which they had been driven was unsuited to their habits and requirements. From reports received from keepers 
and others in the neighbourhood, I learned the flight extended along the coast-line for many miles. Several 
of the birds that had been shot were brought or sent to me in order to be identified, a few from remote districts 
arriving in the shape of skins *. All I examined were in immature plumage and, for the most part, in very 
poor condition. From those I shot and picked up I did not reserve a single specimen, owing to the ragged 
and dirty state of their feathers. In consequence of the excessive weakness of the greater number met with, 
it is probable that but a small percentage would regain sufficient strength to enable them to continue their 
journey. A dozen or so of dead bodies were passed during one morning along the shore ; and for a week or two 
longer I noticed a few single birds in the woods on both sides of the Firth. These cannot have remained 
long in the district, as after the end of the first week in October I did not observe any specimens in the 
vicinity of the coast, although I remained a year longer on the shores of the Firth. 
The cry of the male is two or three notes of a low whistle, uttered most commonly in the spring, just 
before the breeding-season. I have, however, heard it on several occasions after the young were hatched. 
Whether the female has the same note I am unable to state. I remarked that the only sound produced by one 
I prevented for several hours from visiting her brood was a sharp klick, something resembling the noise by 
* Although I am unable to record with certainty the fact that I have obtained the White-backed Woodpecker (Ficus leuconotus) in the British 
Islands, I consider it may not be out of placo to state that this species has, without doubt, occurred on our shores. Some years after returning to 
the south, I happened to discover one of the skins previously mentioned in a box of nests and other materials brought from the north. I was 
immediately struck by the appearance of the specimen, and, on comparing it with a skin of P. leuconotus, there was not the slightest doubt as to its 
identity. At the time ttio birds wero killed I had no works that alluded to this species, and consequently imagined all those that came under my 
notice were simply immature specimens of P. major. I should not have mentioned this fact, had I not considered it highly probable that one at 
least of thoso 1 shot (and failed to preserve, owing to their ragged condition) also belonged to this northern species. 
