FLICKER 



127 



r/fki 



^Ji^ 



Fig. 64. 



Flicker ; High-hole ; Yellow-hammer : Colaptes 

 auratus. 



Adult malej back brownish, barred with black ; throat pinkish 

 fawn and rest of under parts lighter, spotted with black ; red 

 band on back of neck; rump white; black stripe on sides of 

 throat and black crescent on breast ; under side of wings and 

 tail yelloAV. Adult female., similar, but without black streaks 

 on sides of throat. Length, 12 inches. 



Geographic Distribution. — North America west to Alaska 

 and the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains ; breeds through- 

 out its range, and winters from Illinois and Massachusetts 

 southward. 



Though the Flicker is to be found with us dur- 

 ing the winter, his loud ringing [f-if-if-if-if-if-if 

 is especially associated with the spring smell of 

 the damp woods-earth, and the first glad awaken- 

 ing. Sometimes it is only a single note, a loud. 



