84 PICID/E : WOODPECKERS. 



clinging to the upright trunks. Although so numerous 

 and ubiquitous, the Flicker is a shy and watchful bird, 

 easily alarmed by any unwonted approach, and quick to 

 change its base of operations when disturbed, unless it 

 has already made its nest. 



In this labor, shared by the two sexes with equal 

 assiduity, the birds are untiring until the hole is exca- 



FiG. 14. — Head of Colaptes auratus. Natural size. 



vated to the proper depth, and repeated annoyances 

 seldom suffice to drive the devoted pair from their 

 chosen abode. If the nest is robbed, the female will 

 bravely go on laying eggs — in some instances to the 

 number of nearly two dozen before her resources are 

 exhausted. If undisturbed, the usual number of eggs 

 is six or seven, in shape not so nearly spheroidal as 

 those of more typical Woodpeckers. They measure on 

 an average about 1.15 in length by 0.90 in breadth, but 

 are very variable in size and shape. As soon as the 



