292 COLAPTES AURATUS, GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 



direct, mikI accompli shod with regular wing-beats. It alig^hts on boughs, 

 in the attitude of ordinary birds, more frequently than any of our otiier 

 species, excepting the Coluptes, and, with the same exception, taps trees 

 less frequently than any. It nuiy often be seen circling high in the air, 

 around the tree-tojis, apparently engaged in capturing passing winged 

 insects; and, as it is particularly gregarious — let me say, of a sociable 

 disposition — many are sometimes thus occui>ied together in airy evolu- 

 tions about the withered head of some ancient woodland monarch fall- 

 ing to decay. At the sight, as the birds passed and repassed each other 

 in vigorous flight, while the sheen of their dark-green plumage flashed 

 in the sunbeams, I could not help fancying them busy weaving a laurel- 

 wreath fitting to crown the last days of the majestic pine that had done 

 valorous battle with the elements for a century, and was soon to mingle 

 its mould with the dust whence it sprang. 



Unlike its gay, rollicking associates, the Californian Woodpeckers, 

 Lewis' is a shy and wary bird, not easily destroyed. In passing from 

 one part of the forest to another, it prefers, apparently through cautious- 

 ness, to pass high over the tops of the trees rather than to thread its 

 way through their mazes. It generally alights high up, and procures 

 its food at the same elevation. I do not remember to have ever seen 

 one descend among bushes, still less to the ground, as Flickers are wont 

 to do, in search of ants and other insects. At most times they are rather 

 silent birds for this family, but during the mating season, which always 

 callsout whatever vocal powers birds possess, their harsh notes resound 

 through the forest with startling distinctness. I have never identified 

 one of their nests, but there is no question of their breeding in the sum- 

 mits of the pines, generally a projecting top blasted by lightning or de- 

 cayed in natural process. In July the young may be seen scrambling 

 in troops about the tree tops, before they are grown strong enough to 

 fly ; and a curious sight they are. Having seen more of them together 

 than were at all likely to have been hatched iii the same nest, I have uo 

 doubt that different families join each other as soon as the young are on 

 wing, haunting favorable resorts. The association of Californian Wood- 

 l)eckers and '• Sapsuckers" with these more aristocratic birds seems 

 partly a matter of sufterance, partly of necessity, for the smaller and 

 more agile birds can scramble out of the way when, as often happens, 

 Lewis' makes hostile demonstrations. 



In Colorado, according to Mr. Trii)pe, " Lewis' Woodpecker is com- 

 mon among the foot-hills, extending up to 7,000 feet, and occasionally 

 to 8,000. It is rarely seen within the limits of Clear Creek County, but 

 IS common lower down. It is a common visitor, arriving a little later 

 than the Red -headed Woodpecker." 



COLAPTES AURATUS, (Linn.) Sw. 

 Golden-winged Woodpecker; Flicker. 



ChcuIus aiiratus, Linn., Syst. Nat. 10th ed. i, 1758, 112. 



Picas aitratus, Linn., Syst. Nat. i, 17(i6, 174. — Ft)i{ST., Phil. Trans. Ixii, 1772, 383.— 

 YiEiLi.., Ois. Am. vSept. ii, 1S07, ()6, pi. 123.— WiLS., Am. Oru. i, 1808, 45, pi. 3, 

 f. 1.— Bp., Syu. 1828, 44.— Nutt., Mau. i, 1832, .5(;i.— Aud., Oru. Biog. i, 1832, 

 191; V, 1839,' 540; p]. 37; Syii. 1839, 184; B.Am, iv, 1842, 282, pi. 273.— SuND;, 

 Coiisp. Av. Pic. 1866, 71.— Timppe, Pr. Ess. lust, vi, 1871, 118 (Miuuesota). 



Colaptes anratuH, Sw., Zool. .Tourii. iii. 1827, 353. — Sw. & Rich., F. B. A. ii, 1831. 314. — 

 Bp., List, 1838, 40; Consp. i, 18.50. 113.— Woodh., Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 91 (ludiau 

 Territory) —Bd., B. N. A. 1858, 118.— Maxim., .J. f. O. 1858, 420.— Reinh., Ibis, 

 iii, 1861, 8 (Greeulaud; (juotcs Mo.sciilei!, J. t'. 0. 1856, 335). — Dkess., lbs, 1865, 

 470 (Texas). — Ha yd., Rep. 1862, 156. — Allen, ]SIem. Bost. Soc. i, 1868, 499 



