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(Picus major, Linn.—L'Epeiche, ou le Pic varié, Buff.)
LENGTH somewhat more than nine inches. The bill is of a dark horn colour, very strong at the base, and exceedingly sharp at the end; the upper and under sides formed by high-pointed ridges, which run along the middle of each; the eyes are reddish, encircled with a large white spot, which extends to the back part of the head, on which is a spot of crimson; the forehead is buff; the top of the head black; on the back part of the neck are two white spots, separated by a line of black; the scapulars and tips of the wing coverts white; the rest of the plumage on the upper part of the body black; the tail is black, the outer feathers marked with white spots; the throat, breast, and part of the belly yellowish white; the vent and lower part of the belly crimson; legs and feet lead grey. The female has not the red spot on the back of the head.
This bird is common in England. Buffon says that it strikes against the trees with brisker and harder blows than the Green Woodpecker. It creeps with great ease in all directions upon the branches of trees, and is with difficulty seen, as it instantly avoids the sight by creeping behind a branch, where it remains concealed.
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