410 



CLIMBING BIRDS — SCANSORES. 



completion. The young of our species I have found when nearly fledged, 

 and at that time they hiss like snakes when a hand is inserted in the bur- 

 row, — a sufficient warning for tho.se who do not know wjiat is in it, and 

 doubtless intended as sucli by nature. They are fond of playing, and chas- 

 ing each other around the trunks of trees, always uttering at that time a 

 peculiar note of recognition, like.y whittoo, whittoo, whittoo." 



Of the various names given to it by immigrants from \arious parts of the 



East, that of " flicker " seems the most appropriate, while " yellow-hammer " 

 is rpiite unsuitalile for a bird •\\ithout any yellow on it, and ^^■as besides 

 originally the English name of a small yellow liird not Ibund in America. 



The relationship of this species to the Eastern C. auraius will be best 

 exhibited by a comparison of the preceding figures. 



Colaptes chrysoides, !Malherbe. 



MALHERBE'S FLICKER. 



Cohptef: rlm/xoidi-x, Mamif.rbe, V.cv. et Map. do Zool. IV. 18.")2, 5.53. — B.\ii!i>, V. K. Kcp. 



IX. Birds, 1858, 125. In. Proc. Ac. N. Sc. Pliil. XI. 1859, 302. 

 ? Colaptes Aijnsii, Heeiuiaxn, P. R. Rep. X. vi. 59. (Not of Audubon ■?) 



Sp. Ciiah. Aliovo Vl■llll^vi^ll-ash, ti-:inpverpi.-ly Imrrfd witli Mack; cliin, throat, niul 

 sides of head (dear a?h ; muU'r jiarts white ; a broad pectoral crescent, and rounded spots 



