Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/121

Rh seldom, if ever, heard at all, which I attribute to the fact that the birds were then nesting, and that there was no further need for this method of attracting attention. I was unable to definitely satisfy myself that the tapping is done by the male bird only, but strongly incline to the view that it is so, as I never observed the female make use of this signal. I am not aware how far previous observers have confirmed this theory, and shall be interested to know what others may have to say in reference to it.

The last day upon which I have any note of hearing this tapping is May 27th, and, indeed, after that date I failed to make any observations of interest. I cannot say positively whether eggs were laid in the nest or not, for I have a great dislike to disturbing birds in any way; while, owing to absence from home during June, I was unable to discover whether a family appeared or not. The sequel to my story is, however, of considerable interest. On the night of Monday, Aug. 6th, the tree in which the nest was made was blown to the ground.

I was fortunate enough to obtain permission to cut a section from the trunk containing the Woodpecker's hole, and, after sawing through the tree in two places, managed to take home the prize. I subsequently reduced this section to a manageable size, and, having done so, cut the trunk through horizontally some four inches below the hole, and now have the nest in two sections. The measurements may be of interest. The opening is three inches from top to bottom, and two inches wide; the depth of the hole is eight inches, and the measurement from back to front inside five inches. The bottom of the hole is left somewhasomewhat [sic] rough, with small points of wood sticking up, but the entrance is most beautifully smooth and venlyevenly [sic] worked. The hole is cut through the bark, and the section shows that the wood is sound for an inch and a half, after which the rest of the excavation was in quite rotten wood. There is another hole about two inches above and slightly to the left, which was commenced first, but subsequently abandoned in favour of the completed one. The reason for this is evident, as the face of the unfinished hole is perfectly soft and rotten, and the bark, being gone, it was unsuitable; whereas the face of the other hole is sound and firm. In this instance there is only one entrance to the nest, and not, as is said to be sometimes the case, two or more. Zool. 4th ser. vol. V., March, 1901.