252 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



sota," and in the "Birds of New England" it is spoken of as the 

 rarest of all the woodpeckers. Its centre of abundance is evidently 

 farther south, where it is resident. 



West of the Rocky Mountains it has not been observed. It is 

 of shy, retiring habits, frequenting the gloomy depths of the forest, 

 though its dress fits it for appearing in the best society. The 

 feathers are of <i peculiar soft and silky texture, and are so regularly 

 barred across with black and white that it is known to many as 

 the Zebra Bird, and is considered the handsomest of all the wootl- 

 peckers. 



In Ontario it is ifiijri'atorv, lea\ in<f about the end of October. 



Genus COLAPTES Swainsox. 

 COLAPTES AURATUS (Linn.). 



17;». Flicker. (41-_>) 



IJauk, wing coverts and inneniiost quills, olivaeeous-ljiown, thickly barred 

 with black ; ninip, snowy-white ; (juills and tail, golden yellow underneath, and 

 shafts of this color. A scarlet nuchal crescent and lai-ge black pectoral crescent 

 in both sexes. Male: — With black maxillary patches, wanting in the fomale ; 

 liead and nape, ash ; chin, throat and breast, lilac-brown ; under pai'ts, with 

 numerous round black spots ; sides, tinged with creamy -brown ; belly, with 

 yellowish. About 10 inches long ; wing, about U ; tail, 4i. 



Hab. — Northern and Eastern North America, west to the eastern slope of 

 the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. Occasional on the Pacific slope, from 

 California northward. Accidental in Europe. 



Nest, a hole in a tree. 



Eggs, five tf) seven, white. 



Earl}' in Ajuil, if the weatlier is mild, tlie loud cackling call of the 

 " Higholder" may be heard from his peicli at the top of a tall dead 

 limb, where he watches to welcome his comrades as they hourly 

 arrive from the south. For a week or two at this season they are 

 very abundant, but many soon pass on farthei- north, and the others 

 are disti'ibuted ovei- the country, so that they aie less fie(|uently seen. 



In haV)its this species differs considerably from all the (tther mem- 

 bers of the family. It is more terrestrial, being often obseived on the 

 ground demolishing ant hills and devouring the inmates, for which 

 achievement its curved bill and Icmg slimy tongue are admirably 

 iulay)ted. It is ;dso fond of fruit, and of corn, either green or ripe. 



