AVES. 365 



A group composed of about a dozen American woodpeckers and a few 

 which are natives of India. 



The golden-winged woodpecker or flicker of the United States {Colaptus 

 auratiis) is the best known. He is a very elegant bird, with plumage of 

 dark utnber, transversely marked with black on the upper parts of his 

 body, below of very delicate fawn-color, with a broad crescent of deep 

 black. He is well known to our country people and to aFl amateur sports- 

 men, who are attracted by his size and handsome appearance, though not 

 very readily shot on account of his easily excited suspicions and quick 

 movements. 



Several species intimately resembling the yellow-winged woodpecker 

 have been discovered in California and Mexico. 



The Indian species are smaller birds of similar general habits. 



Sub-fa?n. 7. Yunchics, or Wrynecks. Bill short, straight, acute ; wings 

 moderate and pointed ; tail moderate, rounded, composed of soft feathers ; 

 tarsi and feet short. Size small, colors plain. 



Three birds only are contained in this sub-family ; the only one of which 

 the history is well known is the wryneck of Europe, Yunx torqnilla {pi. 98, 

 fig. 9), so called from its having a peculiar twisting motion of the head and 

 neck. Its principal food is ants, which it obtains by pecking away the 

 earth from about their nests, and then allowing the insects to adhere to its 

 glutinous tongue. It is found throughout Europe. 



Fam. 4. CucuLiD^, OR Cuckoos. A family of birds very different in 

 form and manner from the preceding climbers, and much more resembling 

 the perching birds. They have, however, the peculiar form of foot which 

 characterizes the other climbers, and by which they may be recognised. 



There are about one hundred and fifty species of cuckoos, which are 

 found in all the countries of the world. 



Sub-fam. 1. Indie atorince, or Honey Guides. Bill short, broad at base, 

 curved, compressed ; wings long, pointed ; tail moderate, emarginated ; 

 tarsi and feet short. Size small, colors plain. 



Contains about ten little birds of Africa and India, which have obtained 

 the names of honey guides from the fact that they are usually observed in 

 the vicinity of nests of wild bees. The honey from those is said to be 

 their chief food, in the obtaining of which they are frequently attacked by 

 the bees and stung to death. The best known are the greater and smaller 

 honey guides of Africa {Indicator major and minor), which inhabit Liberia 

 and other countries of Western Africa. 



Sub-fam. 2. Saur other incB, or Ground Cuckoos. Bill long, straight, 

 hooked at the tip, compressed ; wings moderate, rounded ; tail lengthened ; 

 tarsi and feet long and robust. Size rather larse. 



A sub-family of about six birds only, which are exclusively American. 

 Several species which are found in Mexico and California habitually 

 frequent the ground, on which they run with great swiftness. They are 

 partial to dry, bushy places, and are very shy and difficult to approach. 

 Their food consists of reptiles, insects, and other small animals. 



Sub-fam. 3. Coccyzince, or Curved-bill Cuckoos. Bill arched, com- 



569 



