RED-SHAFTED FLICKER 293 



erratic zigzag course of the beetle, suddenly swooped down and cap- 

 tured it in mid-air." 



Major Bendire (1895) also says: "Besides the usual insects and 

 larvae upon which this species feeds, I have seen it catch grass- 

 hoppers, both on the ground and on the wing, and it is likewise very 

 fond of wild strawberries." 



Behavior. — I can find nothing in the behavior or general habits 

 of the red-shafted flicker that is essentially different from the habits 

 of the northern flicker. It has the same annoying habit of drum- 

 ming on the resonant parts of dwellings at early hours in the morn- 

 ing, which is quite disturbing to sleepers. It also does considerable 

 damage to buildings by drilling holes in the eaves or walls for nest- 

 ing or roosting places, spending winter nights or even stormy days 

 in such sheltered retreats. John G. Tyler (1913) says on this subject : 



Unfortunately these handsome birds have fallen into disfavor among a 

 large number of both city dwellers and country residents, on account of their 

 habit of drilling holes in the gable ends of buildings. When once a house has 

 been selected it seems that nothing short of death will cause them to cease 

 their drilling operations until one, and in some cases three or four, holes have 

 been cut through the outer wall of the building. Whether these holes, which 

 are generally made in the winter, are excavated for roosting places or simply 

 through a sort of nervous energy seems a matter of doubt ; but certain it is 

 that the birds spend much time in them as soon as they succeed in completing 

 their work. It is a common sight, on rainy days, to see a Flicker's head peer- 

 ing out from his open doorway. 



The speed in flight of tlie red-shafted fliclver has been recorded as 

 from 25 to 27 miles an hour, as measured with the speedometer of 

 an automobile. 



Grinnell and Storer (1924) write of its habits: 



The tramper in almost any part of the Yosemite region can hardly fail to 

 at least hear one or more Red-shafted Flickers in a half-day's circuit. Al- 

 though these birds are never seen in true flocks, he may flush from favorable 

 places as many as G of them within a few yards. This is particularly true 

 on the floor of Yosemite Valley during the autumn months. This omnivorous 

 woodpecker then almost completely forsakes the timber and forages in the brush 

 patches, eating berries of various sorts, especially cascara ; it often seeks the 

 open meadows where it gathers ants and grasshoppers. 



The birds flush one or two at a time, often not until the observer is almost 

 upon them ; then the sudden flapping of broad pinkish-red wings, the view 

 of the white rump patch fully displayed, leave no doubt in the observer's mind 

 as to the identity. A bird seldom flies far before alighting, not against an 

 upright tree trunk as with most other woodpeckers, but perching on a branch, 

 to bow deeply this way and that and perhaps utter its exp]o.sive claip. 



Voice. — The notes of the red-shafted flicker are almost identical 

 with those of the northern flicker, though George F. Sinunons (1925) 

 evidently thinks that the voice is "much coarser, rougher, and 

 heavier, * * * easily distinguished when the two are heard 

 calling near each other." 



