3-4": The Wilson Bulletin.— No. 42. 



tions or notes from local observers, to this list, and especial- 

 ly on the ducks. My thanks are due to Mr. J. Claire Wood 

 and Alec Blaine, Jr., of Detroit, for many valuable records. 



A FEW ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE FLICKER. 



FRANK L. BURNS, BERWYN, PA. 



It has been suggested that I bring together the additional 

 notes received subsequent to the publication of our cooper- 

 ative investigation of the Flicker. 



In connection with two obscure vernacular names, Mr. 

 Ernest Ingersoll pertinently remarks: If Woodqiioi really 

 exists, it is probably allied to the English Woodqiicst (or 

 ^qiieest), for the Dove {Coliiniba pahiviba), the root meaning 

 of which appears to be the word "complainer." ''Wocd- 

 %vall^' according to Skeat, is ancient IVooawale, and derived 

 from old Dutch, meaning "a yellow bird." 



Under the head of migration, some valuable notes relative 

 to the retrogade movements of the bird, are contributed by 

 Dr. Walter W. Mavis. In south New Jersey, in the region 

 of the U^3,)3r Djlavvare B ly, which runs due south, some 

 time in October of every year the migrating Flickers are 

 found flying north just previous to and during a northwest 

 storm. At this time the wind is generall high and the birds 

 fly against it. This peculiarity of flight affects a large terri- 

 tory extending inland from the east shore of the bay some 

 fifteen or twenty miles. While the birds prefer to breast a 

 wind, it is also probable that they are reluctant to cross the 

 lower part of the bay during such a storm which would tend 

 to drive them seaward, rather preferring to return northward 

 to the more narrow river where they could cross in compar- 

 ative safety. 



Apropos to its enemies, I have to add another, my favor- 



