While passing through our borders the Magnolia Warbler is oftenest found 

 moving quietly through the bushes which line the banks of streams or lean over 

 swampy pools in the depth of the forest. If in the latter situation its brilliance 

 seems fairly to dispel the gloom, and if one finds his magnificence fluttering before 

 an insect-laden leaf, his cup of joy is full. But the bird is no recluse and num- 

 bers of them join that bright array which consecrates our tree-tops year by year, 

 year. 



The song of the Magnolia is not often heard, but when vouchsafed is 

 clear and musical and fairly distinctive. It may bear a superficial resemblance 

 to that of the Hooded Warbler, but careful comparison will show that it is 

 shorter, weaker, and more varied. It is only the penultimate syllable, into which 

 the bird throws a peculiar quality and turn, that is confusing, flick, flick, flick, 

 fleetip, or che-u'eech. che-iveecli, che-o. Besides this common form there are many 

 variations whose consideration would scarcely prove helpful. 



Red-Shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer coUaris) 



Length: 12 to 14 inches. To be distinguished from its eastern relative 

 (C aitratus) by its red mustache and nuchal band and the red wing and tail shafts. 



Range : Rocky mountain region from British Columbia south to Me.xico, 

 west to the coast mountains in Oregon and Washington, and through California ; 

 largely resident. 



Few birds are more widely known than the flicker, as appears from the fact, 

 recorded by Chapman, that in the various parts of the country it appears under 

 no fewer than 124 aliases. Though well known, the flicker is more often heard 

 than seen, its loud call often proclaiming its presence when it is hidden among the 

 trees. As a rule the flicker is shy and in some sections of the country it has good 

 reason to be, since it is accounted a game bird and, as svich, pursued for the table. 



Though a woodpecker, the red-shaft departs widely from typical members 

 of the tribe both in structure and habits. Notwithstanding the fact that its bill 

 is not well adapted for boring into wood for larvae, the bird manages to do consid- 

 erable damage in the west by making holes, in church steeples, school houses and 

 other buildings, to serve as roosting quarters. As it is nowise particular as to its 

 domicile, it is possible materially to increase its numbers by putting up nesting 

 boxes for its accommodation. The bird's subsistence is obtained largely from the 

 ground, where it secures vast quantities of ants, for taking which its tongue is 

 specially adapted ; about one-half its food in fact consists of these creatures. The 

 flicker also consumes grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, but it is so much of a 

 vegetarian that the list of berries and seeds it eats is a long one. though it is not 

 accused of taking domestic fruit. 



557 



