THE GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. 
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found all over Europe, but only singly or in pairs; it also 
occurs in Asiatic Russia, with the exception of Kamt- 
schatka, in Persia, Syria, and in the Atlas. It lives in 
large pine forests, especially those situated in mountainous 
districts, and where the trees are very old. It has now 
become a rare bird in Germany, owing to the felling 
of our vast forests. A permanent resident, it only 
migrates occasionally, and then always but a short 
distance backwards and forwards. It is only met with 
as a wanderer in the greenwood, and in small woods 
never, except when quite out of its reckoning. It 
selects for its dwelling place some ancient wood, whose 
creaking monarchs can tell weird tales of what has 
happened hundreds of years ago. The bird cares not 
whether the wood be dense or open, provided it is 
extensive, little visited by man, and contains many old, 
decayed trees, upon which it can ply its handicraft in 
peace and solitude : here the Black Woodpecker selects a 
wide beat, tolerating none other of its own species, the 
smaller members of the family not excepted, over which 
it lords it right royally. It is an exceptionally cheerful, 
active, shy, nimble, and powerful bird, never remaining 
long in one place; it is seen here, there, and every¬ 
where, traversing its domain more than once during the 
twenty-four hours: this is easily known, for its cry is 
heard now here, now there. In a locality in which it 
considers itself not very safe, it is always especially 
restless, cunning, watchful, and shy: it is very difficult 
to observe its habits, for it can only be stalked where the 
trees are high and thick, and it can hide itself with great 
facility. It is very interesting to watch this bird in the 
act of climbing. “ He mounts a tree,” says Naumann, 
“ with great, rapid jumps, nodding his head more or less 
