G R E E N W O O D P E C K E R.
PICUS VIRIDIS.
t x the forest district of Sussex I have met with considerable numbers of this species. It also appears very
generally distributed over most of the southern and eastern counties: I cannot, however, assert that I have
observed it further north than Norfolk. In the dusk of a gloomy October evening, some twenty years ago, I
caught sight of two birds much resembling Green Woodpeckers in the Tynniugliam Woods on llio coast of
East Lothian. It was impossible to identify them with certainty, owing to the rapidly increasing twilight and
the momentary glimpse I was able to obtain as they dashed across the road. From inquiries I have made among
keepers and foresters in the North, and also from my own observations, I am of opinion that this species must,
be of very unfrerjucnt occurrence in Scotland. The call of the bird is so remarkable that it is almost
impossible they could lie residents in any district without attracting attention. The note must be heard
to be thoroughly understood; and I can only describe it as a high-toned scream of laughter. I have no
evidence that this species is migratory, or that the British Islands are ever visited by flights from the
continent.
It is only in Sussex that I have met with opportunities or closely studying the habits of the (ireen Woodpecker.
I particularly remarked, in both the eastern and central parts of the county, that, with but few
exceptions, these birds resorted to beech trees for breediug-porpnses. Deserted and recent borings may be
found in all quarters of IJalcomhc Forest, wherever their favourite trees are situated. Large beeches are
scattered over t h e greater portion of that wild and picturesque locality ; and though the majority are still sound,
the birds appear to have but little difficulty in selecting any number they may require in which decay has
already set in. Many of these forest giant- measure from live to seven feet in diameter; and the immense
quantity of chips that (his Woodpecker throws out while boring into such ponderous siems often presents a
most curious sight, if examined when the work has been recently executed. 1 have repeatedly come across
heaps of at least from one to two bushels of chips piled up at the roots of the tree; and in two or three instances
I have arrived on the spot while the boring was being carried on Every few siixiuds the head of the bird is
seen at the entrance of the hole with a chip in its lull; this it immediately drops, and at once returns for a
fresh supply. Where the wood is soft, it appears that the hob's are very rapidly excavated; I have noticed
large heaps of debris accumulated in a short space of time. It is, I believe, usually supposed that the boring is
a straight entrance or hole and then takes a downward course till the depth at which tin- bird desires to deposit
its eggs is arrived at. This is not invariably the case, as, in a boring I cut out near the western extremity of
Bnleomhe forest, I discovered the bird had constructed a most curious winding passage. Luckily the tree
was particularly rotten, so the labour was slight, or I might have had au undertaking of some hours to follow
all the curves and turns that the architect had fashioned. 1'or between two and three feet the hole was cut
straight into the stem, next turning dow nwards for some eight or teu inches, then brought for about a foot in
the direction of the entrance, and anally carried downwards to Ihc depth of fifteen or sixteen inches. In