INTRODUCTION. 
XCVll 
crowns of lilgli trees, apparently engaged in capturing small Insects. I deem it necessary to mention this, 
because we really know but little respecting the aetious of even our commonest Woodpecker, 
207. PiCUS VILLOSLIS. 
Hairy Woodpecker. 
There is no doubt about this American species having been killed several times in Britain. Latham 
mentions a pair from Halifax, in Yorkshire, in the collection of the then Duchess of Portland ; and one was 
killed in 1849 at Whitby, in Yorkshire, as stated by Mr. Higgins in the ‘ Zoologist ’ for that year, p. 2496. 
This latter specimen I have examined, and have no doid)t of its identity, nor of the authenticity of its 
occurrence. It is not figured, because it is purely American and only an accidental visitor. 
208. PiCUS PUBESCENS. 
Downy Woodpecker. 
Mr. Harting mentions the occurrence of a single example of this bird at Bloxworth, near Blandford, 
Dorsetshire, in December 1836, as reported by the Rev. O. P. Cambridge in the ‘ Zoologist ’ for 1859, 
p. 6444. 
Owing to this species being a native of the New World, and its having been only once seen in England, 
I have not given a figure of it. 
Genus Dryocopus. 
As restricted, this genus contains but a single species. 
209. Dryocopus martius Vol. III. PI. LXXIII. 
Great Black Woodpecker. 
This bird is of large size ; and the prevailing tint of its plumage is sooty black, relieved by red on the 
crown. Its native localities are the pine-woods of Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Many instances of 
its having been killed in Britain are recorded ; but it is probable that not one of them is authentic. At all 
events there is not a certified British-killed specimen in any of our Museums or private collections; 
consequently it is a very doubtful visitor. For further information respecting it I refer my readers to the 
letterpress aceompanying the Plate. 
Subfamily GECININ^. 
Genus Gecinus, 
The members of this genus (known as Green Woodpeckers) being less arboreal than the true Pid, spend 
much of their time on the ground. In Britain the trimly kept lawns and meadows are favourite places of 
2 c 
