A QUEER PAIR.
Two bird observers in my own neighbourhood have been much interested in the ways of that no longer rare bird, the greater spotted woodpecker. A hen bird, with one maimed leg, regularly frequents their two gardens which are about half a mile apart. The bird is unusually tame for the species and comes directly to the food set out for her. At first she came alone : but now she brings with her that very different
bird, in habit and temperament, a green woodpecker. The nature of this strange friendship is still a query. The new bird is very much shyer and keeps well away from the windows of the houses. The greater spotted, which we used to see sel- dom;is a regular visitor to some gardens I know, three in Hert- fordshire, one in Huntingdon, one near Malden in Surrey.
* 5 5 *
Previous page
