Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/29

Rh Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) is very rare, perhaps quite localized; while the very imposing Eagle-Owl (Bubo ignavus, v. Duss, Lucù) is met with to about 4600 ft. in height, and in the woods of fallen leaves, showing itself very seldom in the evergreen ones; it feeds upon rats and birds; sometimes it enters small villages, and it was observed in those of Fuipiano (1411 ft.), S. Giovanni Bianco (1219 ft.), S. Gallo (1294 ft.), Ornica (2805 ft.), and some others; it is a resident and breeding species.

Amongst the Picidæ we observe tolerably common and resident the Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viridis, v. Picòss vert, Beca soch) and the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major, v. Picalègn ross, Picòss gross); the Grey-headed Green Woodpecker (G. canus) was only once observed, but I think, if exhaustive enquiries are made, it will be found to occur more frequently; Dr. Giacomelli told me that the only specimen was caught not very far from the top of Cima di Grem (6243 ft.); it was shot by a priest, who presented it to a friend of his. The Great Black Woodpecker (Picus martius, v. Picòss nigher) is easily found in the wildest woods of some mountains, where it is almost restricted to a height of no more than 4900 ft.; in winter it descends a little; we are informed that it was found at Mount Combana (7192 ft.), Pizzo del Tre Signori, Mount Ponteranica (7550 ft.). Mount Cavallo (7081 ft.), but, as I have said, not above 4900 ft., generally. The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (D. medius) was once observed in the neighbourhood of Oltre il Colle (3961 ft.). The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (D. minor) is not at all rare, and I have secured in former years a great many specimens for my collection. The Wryneck (Iynx torquilla, v. Becaförmig) is a common summer visitor; it does not breed above about 4900 or 5200 ft. The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, v. Cucù) is a pretty common species during summer; it nests according to its usual method, but it is not found generally above 3000 ft. The Roller (Coracias garrula) and the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) are stragglers. The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is a fairly abundant species, not breeding above 5200 ft.; I have found the nest at Mount Ortighera (5009 ft.), a few feet from the top. The Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida, v. Martin pescadör, Becapèss, Piombì) is abundant. The Nightjar (Caprimulgus europæus,