202 The Wilsox Burj.FTiN — No. (3i). 



117. Colaptes auratus luteus. — Northern Flicker. 



Abundant in the migrations, common during the breeding season, 

 regular in small numbers all winter. The great wave of migra- 

 tion which reaches us from the south varies from early March to 

 the middle of April, weather conditions seeming to be the determin- 

 ing factor. The south-bound wave sweeps past during the first week 

 of October. The individuals which remain all winter are to be 

 found where grains, fruits and berries are abundant. Thus Flick- 

 ers are certain to be found in growths of the sumach. A few in- 

 dividuals remain on the sand spit as long as there are wild grapes. 

 After the grapes are gone individuals are seen flying across from 

 the mainland apparently filled with memories of past feasts. A 

 corn field from which the corn has not been husked is certain to 

 harbor a few. As many as nine individuals have been known \o 

 live in Oberliu all winter, feeding upon the fruits of the vines 

 which cover the sides of some of the college buildings. The river 

 gorges furnisti retreats in severe weather. Flickers visit the bird 

 lunch counter all winter, but do not seem as much at home as the 

 smaller woodpeckers do. Mate calls are given as early as the first 

 warm days of February, but mating is not in full progress before 

 the numbers are greatly increased by the arrival of the host of mi- 

 grants. On the approach of nesting time there is a perceptible 

 thinning of numbers, but the species must be regarded as common 

 all summer long. It is not easy to tell whether the increase as au- 

 tumn approaches is due to the return of birds from the north or the 

 voung hatched in the region. From the large proportion of birda 

 in immature plumage one might be led to infer the latter. Families 

 are likely to remain together until October, when the young of the 

 year are fully able to shift for themselves. The "wick-i-up" call 

 is likely to be given on any warm day of the fall or winter, but at 

 other times the only note usually heard is the single prolonged call. 

 This woodpecker is present on all of the larger islands all summer, 

 and is tolerably common in the vicinity of the Lake Laboratory 

 during the nesting season and all the fall. 



118. Antrostomus rociferus. — Whip-poor-will. 



Except during the migrations confined to the stream gorges, and 

 mostly along the lower reaches of the rivers. During the spring 

 migrations it. is scattered pretty generally over the whole wooded 

 portions of the region, but is far less numerous away from the 

 streams than elsewhere, except in the immediate vicinity of the 

 lake. Twice the bird has been recorded on the Oberlin College 

 campus, and at least one regularly spends a few days of the migra- 

 tion season on the banks of Plum creek near the Waterworks res- 

 ervoir. Its spring arrival is usually a few days in advance of the 



