LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
FICUS MINOR . 
It is only m Sussex that I have met with the chance of closely studying the habits of the Lesser Spotted 
Woodpecker. With the exception of two or three pairs in Norfolk, and a stray bird or two in Middlesex, 
Surrey, and Kent, I have never positively identified this species in either England or Scotland. In the 
southern and eastern counties, I am of opinion that this Woodpecker is of much more frequent occurrence than 
is generally supposed, its small size and common habit of seeking its food in the upper branches of large 
trees enabling it to escape observation unless closely searched for. 
I noticed that these birds, during winter and early spring, appear to have a regular course which they 
pursue from day to day. I repeatedly timed them arriving at certain trees from the same direction almost to 
the minute, and, after remaining their usual time among the branches, departing, if undisturbed, in the very 
line they had taken on the previous day. During the breeding-season the cares of providing for their young 
probably compel them to shorten their wanderings; and I have never noticed at that season the same 
regularity with regard to the course they follow. This custom is, I believe, common to all our British 
Woodpeckers, though I have not so frequently observed it in the two larger species. 
Borings of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are to be met with in several varieties of forest timber, and 
also in apple-, plum-, and other fruit-trees. The breeding-quarters these birds resort to vary considerably in 
height. I have often both heard and seen them excavating holes near the uppermost parts of some tall 
poplars in the well-wooded district just north of the range of the South Downs ; and on two or three occasions 
I observed their nests at no greater elevation than from five to six feet above the ground. 
Though usually somewhat shy, and, as a rule, selecting their breeding-stations in some quiet spot where 
they are free from constant observation or interruption, I discovered a brood of young in a pear-tree standing 
not more than four or five yards from the door of a cottage, in a village of some considerable size. On 
examining the hole, which was placed at such a low elevation as to be easily inspected without mounting 
the tree, the young (though unable to fly any distance) hurriedly made their escape, climbing rapidly to the 
upper branches, where the old birds were lluttering round in the greatest consternation. Being in want of 
specimens at this particular age, I had little difficulty in capturing the whole brood, consisting of four. There 
Avas not the slightest difference in the size and plumage of the three largest, the crowns of their heads beiim 
strongly marked with red; one was somewhat smaller, and exhibited but few red feathers on the head. From 
the observations made while rearing the Great Spotted Woodpeckers, I have not the slightest doubt that 
in a few days this bird would have assumed the same plumage as the rest of the brood. It is, I consider, 
quite clear that there is little or no difference between the immature males and females till after the first 
moult. The food brought by the old birds appeared similar to that procured by the Greater Spotted, viz. 
flying ants and other small insects, with a few grubs and caterpillars. This garden appeared to possess some 
peculiar attractions for the Woodpecker tribe. The previous season a pair of the Great Spotted Woodpeckers 
