Although it can nowhere be called abundant, this species is widely distributed in well-wooded districts as far north as Durham, but in Scotland it is a scarce bird, only nesting very sparingly in the south, and in Ireland it is almost unknown. A quiet and shy bird, it is rarely seen, keeping as it does to the higher branches of tall trees, and when possible keeping the trunk between it and any would-be observer. In its food and habits it resembles the Green Woodpecker, though it is comparatively seldom seen on the ground. The call-note is a sharp, short “chik,” but it makes also a peculiar rattling sound by rapping its beak against a bough. This sound, which is more often heard in early spring, has been supposed to be made only at that season, but it may also be heard, though less frequently, at other times of the year. [Illustration: GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER _Dendrocopus major_ Male (right). Female (centre). Young (left)] In winter this species is much given to wandering, and every autumn our local birds receive further additions from Scandinavia. It can hardly, however, be considered a regular winter visitor, as such immigrations are largely dependent on the season, and it is only at irregular periods that really large numbers arrive. The upper parts of the male are chiefly black; the forehead, cheeks, ear coverts, and scapulars are white; nape crimson; wing feathers black, barred with white on the outer webs; under parts whitish; vent crimson. The female lacks the red on the head, but the young of _both_ sexes have the crown red. Length 9·4 in.; wing 5·5 in. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus minor (Linnæus) In many well-wooded localities in the south, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker may be almost considered common, though from its small size and partiality to the topmost branches of tall trees, it is but seldom seen. In Wales and north of the Midlands it becomes extremely local, and in Scotland and Ireland it has only been obtained as a rare straggler on a few isolated occasions. In food and habits it hardly differs from its larger congener, but the nest is generally hewn out in some _dead_ tree. It has not occurred on migration. The male has the upper parts chiefly black, barred with white; the forehead buff; crown of the head crimson; nape and malar stripe black; cheeks white. The under parts are buffish white with black streaks on the flanks. The female has only got a little red on the fore part of the head. Length 6 in.; wing 3·7 in. THE KINGFISHER Alcedo ispida, Linnæus In spite of the ease with which he may be caught, and the demand for his skin brought about by his fatal beauty, we are still able to reckon the Kingfisher as a generally distributed species.