XVI 
THE FLICKER 
Tue flicker is the largest of our common 
American woodpeckers, being somewhat longer 
and stouter than the robin. It is known, by 
sight at least, to almost every one who notices 
birds at all, and perhaps for this reason it has 
received an unusual number of popular names. 
“‘ Golden-winged woodpecker,’ which is proba- 
bly the best known of these, comes from the fact 
that the bird’s wings are yellow on the under 
side. “ Harry Wicket,” ‘ Highhole,’’ — because 
its nest is sometimes pretty far above the ground, 
— “ Yellowhammer,” and “ Pigeon-woodpecker ” 
are also among its more familiar nicknames. 
Unlike other birds of its family, the flicker 
passes much of its time on the ground, where 
it hops awkwardly about, feeding upon insects, 
especially upon ants. As you come near it, 
while it is thus engaged, it rises with a peculiar 
purring sound, and as it flies from you it shows 
a broad white patch on its rump —the lower 
