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.
Representative of a family which is essentially associated with tropical climes, he still wears his brilliant dress in these northern latitudes, and resembles, as he darts with rapid flight down our rivers and streams, some huge turquoise.
Having fixed on a favourite piece of water, he seldom wanders far afield, but may be seen at all times of the year, sitting on an overhanging bough, ever and anon dropping into the water to seize some passing fish. His prey being captured, he returns to his perch and kills the struggling fish by knocking it against his stand; it is then swallowed head first, and he resumes his motionless watch. If sport be slow, and he be hungry, he will wend his way with rapid flight down the river to try his luck in another place, and it is at such times that we shall probably get a momentary glimpse of his brilliancy, till a curve in the stream hides him from sight.