10 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
call-note, which our best field-naturalists render as “tchick” 
or “chink.” It is certainly a peculiar call, and, when once 
recognised, is not likely to be mistaken. Mr. Seebohm also 
states that it has a second note like “ the syllable traP This 
I have not noticed, but the other resounding note may often 
be heard in our woodlands, though the bird itself will be rarely 
observed. In the spring-time both this Woodpecker and its 
smaller cousin, D. minor, produce a loud noise by drumming 
with their bills on the branches or twigs of tree, and these 
vibrating taps are generally supposed to be a signal or call-note 
between the sexes. Certainly this noise can be heard at a 
considerable distance. The food of the Great Spotted Wood- 
pecker consists of insects of all sorts, which it procures after 
the manner of its kind by hammering at the bark of a tree and 
prising it off. It also feeds on fruit and nuts, acorns, berries, 
krc. It is the only British Woodpecker which is a migrant, 
and nearly every year considerable numbers cross the ocean. 
When I was in Heligoland with Mr. Seebohm, five young 
D major were brought to us alive one Sunday morning, having 
been caught by boys in the potato-fields, where they had 
dropped to rest, in an exhausted state. 
Nest.— None. As with other Woodpeckers, the eggs are laid 
on chips or powdered wood at the end of a hole, hollowed 
in nearly every case by the birds themselves. The eggs are 
laid about the middle of May, and both birds are said to assist 
in their incubation. 
Eggs. -From five to seven in nnmber, sometimes eight being 
known. Axis, t'o-i’iS; diam., o'ys-o'Ss. 
II. 
THE HAIRY WOODPI.CKER. DENUROCOFUS VILLOSUS. 
J’iciis villosus, Forster, Fhil. Trans, l.xii. p. 383 (1772). 
Dendrocopus villosus, B. O. U. List Br. B. p. 77 
Saunders, Man. p. 266 (1889) ; Hargitt, Cat. B. Brit. Mus- 
xviii. p. 230 (1890). 
Adult Male.— Of moderate size. Black and white, with » 
broad white stripe down the middle of the back ; scapular , 
rump, and upper tail-coverts black; four centre tail-feathers 
black, the next one black for the basal half, white for the te 
