that we find the most violently contested battles, and it is here, too,
that the purpose of the fighting seems clear. The persecution which the
Green Woodpecker suffers from the Starling is well known. The purpose of
the Starling's behaviour is clear, namely the possession of the hole
occupied by the Woodpecker. Bird for bird, the Woodpecker is more than
the equal of the Starling, but persistent endeavour ultimately wins the
day. The Starlings perch close beside the hole, and, whenever the
Woodpecker shows itself, attack with determination; and not only do they
do so but they are assisted, so there is reason to believe, by other
individuals or pairs in the attainment of their end, so that no matter
how stoutly the Woodpecker defends itself, in time it is almost certain
to be deprived of its ownership.

In like manner different kinds of Woodpeckers contend with one another
for the possession of a hole, and here the opponents are more equally
matched. I have seen a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers endeavouring
to drive away a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The excitement of all three
birds was exceptional. Each of the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers kept
swooping in turn at their rival, sometimes in the air and sometimes when
it was settled on the topmost branches of a dead tree, and the sounds
produced reminded one of the piping of a flock of Oyster-Catchers in
flight.

A battle between a pair of Green Woodpeckers and a Great Spotted
Woodpecker is worth mentioning. It occurred on the 24th of April.
Passing through the middle of a wood, I noticed a Great Spotted
Woodpecker fly out of a hole in an oak-tree. Shortly afterwards, a pair
of Green Woodpeckers settled near the hole and then flew to some
oak-trees close at hand, where they were joined by their rival and signs
of hostility were soon apparent. Presently the Great Spotted Woodpecker
returned to the hole and entered. Both of the Green Woodpeckers then
flew into the tree; and one of them, settling upon the trunk, climbed
up to the level of the hole and, when it became aware of the Great
Spotted Woodpecker within, extended its wings fully and proceeded to
peck viciously at its opponent. Whereupon there was a scuffle at the
mouth of the hole and the Great Spotted Woodpecker hurriedly left. After
this, all was quiet and the Green Woodpecker eventually descended and
entered the hole. The Great Spotted Woodpecker, however, returned again,
but, after fluttering around the hole,