THR FLICKER. 19 



the top sail before continuing its northerly course (Morrell). 

 As nui'nerous as and even more noisy than the Robins, during 

 nngrations, calling uneasily, flying from tree to tree, often in 

 considerable companies. It is not confined to the woods, but is 

 everywhere. This va.st multitude pas.ses northward within a 

 week after arrival, leaving only the local breeders (Jones). 

 Some notes taken in the Spring of '96 at Delavan, Wis., by 

 Mr. Ned Hollister are interesting on account of the waves 

 recorded ; March 31, first heard at daybreak, calling loudly 

 from the heavily wooded island in Delavan lake ; five seen 

 during the day in a walk over this island, all low down near 

 underbrush between wood and marsh ; April 1, about the same 

 number in same place ; April 2, common about lake ; April 4, 

 common everywhere around the shores, having steadily in- 

 creased since first arrivals ; in the morning, soon after the first 

 signs of daybreak, it was heard calling from all sides. On 

 moving into town none were observed until the 12th, when it 

 became ver}^ abundant all at once, a perfect wave taking the 

 place of a ver}' large wave of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that 

 had taken the town by storm the two previous da^-s. The 

 Flickers were everywhere, especially in the marshes, orchards 

 and woodland ; burnt marshes seem to be a favorite place, 

 feeding on the ground in dozens and large flocks, far from 

 water. April 10, 20 and 25, abundant ; April 28, 29, common ; 

 April P)(), abundant ; after this date common until Fall. 



During the season of 1X95 there was a marked decrease in 

 numbers in some localities : for in.stance, at Columbia and Ber- 

 wyn, Pa., it became rather uncommon, and at Cornish, Me., 

 from abundant to quite rare, none remaining to breed. At 

 only one point was it particularly noticeable in the West, about 

 Meridian, Wis., where the decrease was placed at 50 per cent 

 at least. It seems almost incredible that so hardy and re- 

 sourceful a bird should have suffered so severely from that 

 long-to-be- remembered blizzard. 



While the retrograde movements are conducted in larger 

 numbers, being recruited by great numbers of birds of the 

 year, it is scarcely as noticeable, lacking the noise and bustle 

 of Spring arrivals. Like the Robin, its whole nature seems 

 to have undergone a change. It no longer solicits notice by 

 .song or display of plumage, but becomes shy and suspicious, 



