FOOD. 



From an economic standpoint the supreme test as to the 

 beneficial or injurious nature of a very large number of our 

 birds is adjudged from a knowledge of their food habits, more 

 especially if their value as an article of food or for manufac- 

 turing purposes is important. To be wholly beneficial a species 

 must feed upon that which is directly or indirectly injurious 

 and in a manner entailing the least possible damage to that 

 which may be utilized by man. Few birds will be found to 

 meet all of the requirements of so exacting a standard, and if 

 the good overbalance the bad qualities, or even if their habits 

 are of a neutral or doubtful character, the}^ should be pro- 

 tected as far as it is possible to do so. Recent investigations 

 conducted by the United States Agricultural Department war- 

 ranted the statement that ' ' Judged by the results of stomach 

 examinations of the Downy and Hairy Woodpecker and Flick- 

 er, it would be hard to find three other species of our common 

 birds with fewer harmful qualities." The Flicker differs from 

 all other Woodpeckers in being more terrestial. Being equally 

 adept in foraging above or upon the ground, it has a much 

 greater variety' of food to select from, consequently waxes fat, 

 is more numerous and covers a greater area than any other 

 member of the family in North America. There is little dif- 

 ference in the nature of its food and feeding habits, north, 

 east, south or west ; though of course being somewhat more 

 insectivorous in the warmer climes during the colder months. 

 It is almost completely insectivorous from the latter part of 

 March until well into June. Ants form the staple food however. 

 Professor Beal of the United States Nation Museum, places it 

 at about 75 per cent, of the insect food or 45 per cent, of the 

 whole matter for the year. It is often di.scovered .standing 

 over a colony, catching the ants as they emerge or digging 

 vigorou.sly into the soil with its .sharp pickax to unearth them, 

 its bill being almost constantl)' coated with earth from this 



