308 BULLETIN 17 4, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Food. — Mr. Bryant (1887) says: "The food of this species during a 

 portion of the year consists largely of smooth-skinned caterpillars, 

 besides numerous beetles and ants; the latter are always obtainable 

 and growing to a large size figure as an important item of their diet." 



Behavior. — He also remarks: "Of all the species of this family I 

 have ever met with, none have been so tame and unsuspicious or less 

 frightened by the report of a gun." 



Voice. — The notes of the Guadalupe flicker are also similar to those 

 of the mainland forms, for Mr. Bryant (1887) says: "In addition to 

 the familiar scythe-whetting notes they have the peculiar Svake-up' 

 call and its rapid prelude of monosyllables. By imitating this call I 

 decoyed a distant female to within short range, the bird coming 

 through the thickest of the cypress grove, stopping at short intervals to 

 call and listen for a reply." 



