528 Home Nature-Study Course. 



8. Back. 



9. Tail and wings above and below. 



10. Color and shape of beak. 



11. The toes. 



12. Size: is the flicker larger or smaller than the robin? 



Facts for the teacher. — The top of the flicker's head is slaty-gray and there is 

 a very ornamental band of bright red across the back of the neck; the throat and 

 sides of the head are pinkish-brown; the male has a black mustache extending 

 backward from the beak. The locket is a black crescent, much thinner than that 

 which ornaments the breast of the meadowlark. Below the locket the breast is 

 yellowish-white, thickly marked with circular, black spots. The beak is brown 

 with a white rump which shows only during flight. The wings and tail are blackish 

 above and brilliant yellow beneath. The beak is long, strong and dark colored; 

 the feet have two toes directed forward and two backward like the other wood- 

 peckers. This bird is distinctly larger than the robin. 



LESSON V. 

 HABITS OF TPLE FLICKER. 



Purpose. — To enable the child to be familiar with what the flicker 

 does. 



Observations for pupils.' 



1. When does the flicker first appear in the spring? 



2. What is its song? 



3. Describe its flight. 



4. Does the white patch above the tail show except when the bird 

 is flying? / 



5. What is the use of this white patch to the bird? 



6. Where is the flicker u.sually found? 



7. How many names do you know for the flicker? 



8. \\'here does the flicker build its nest and how? 



9. Describe the eggs. 



10. How does it feed its young? 



11. What is its chief food? 



12. How is its tongue fitted for getting its food? 



13. To what family does the flicker belong? 



Facts for the teacher.— The flicker first appears early in April or sometimes 

 even m Alarch. Its song is a rapid "wick-a, wick-a, wick-a," and sounds a little 

 like a jolly laugh. It has other notes besides this most common one. Its flight is 

 wave-nke and jerky; the white patch shows little or none when the bird is at rest, 

 for this white mark is what the ornithologists have named the "color call." This 

 means when the flickers are migrating in flocks by night this white patch is a reair 

 signal by means of which the flock keeps together and follows the leader. The 

 flicker IS not so constantly found in meadows as is the meadowlark, but frequents; 

 woods and orchards; it is a bird of many common names in different parts of the' 



