The Great Spotted Wood- 
pecker is a British species, and 
is also known by the name of 
Frenchpie and Woodpie. 
It is found in many parts of 
England, and, like the other 
Woodpeckers, must be sought in 
the forests and woods rather than 
in orchards and gardens. Like 
other spy birds, however, it soon 
finds out where it may take up its 
abode unmolested, and will occa- 
sionally make its nest in some 
cultivated ground, where it has 
an instinctive assurance of safety, 
rather than entrust itself to the 
uncertain security of the forest. 
In the woods frequented by 
these birds, which are often more 
plentiful than is generally known, 
the careful observer may watch 
their movements without diffi- 
culty, by taking a few preliminary 
precautions. 
The rapid series of strokes on 
the bark, something like the sound 
of a watchman’s rattle, will indi- 
cate the direction in which the 
bird is working ; and when the 
intruding observer has drawn near 
the tree on which he suspects the 
Woodpecker to have settled, he 
should quietly sit or lie down, 
without moving. At first the 
bird will not be visible, for the 
Woodpeckers, like the squirrels, 
have a natural tact for keeping the tree-trunk or branch between themselves and 
the supposed enemy, and will not show themselves until they think that the danger 
has passed away. Presently the Woodpecker may be seen coming very cautiously 
round the tree, peering here and there, to assure itself that the coast is clear, and 
then, after a few preliminary taps, will set vigorously to work. 
17C 
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 
Ficus major . 
