Descriptive List 195 



The Red-lDcllied Woodpecker seems to occur in this State most commonly in tall 

 timber in the neighborhood of water, but definite data on the subject are largely 

 lacking. We have enough, however, to know that it occurs in all sections and at 

 all seasons. 



In winter it feeds freely on small acorns, and seems also to be quite fond of 

 beechnuts. Pearson has frequently seen them feeding on oranges in Florida, and 

 mentions that they are also very fond of the large Scotch mulberry. 



181. Colaptes auratus {Linn.). Flicker. 



Description. — Head ash}' with a red nuchal crescent; rump white, rest of upperparts brownish, 

 barred with black; lower parts pinkish brown, shading into yellow, a black crescent across breast, 

 underparts back of the black crescent thickly spotted with round black spots. Shafts and under 

 surface of quills solden yeUow. Male with a broad black stripe on each side of the throat from 

 the base of the bill. L., 12.2.5; W., 6.25; T., 4.50. 



Range (including subspecies). — Eastern North America, west to Great Plains. 



Range in North Carolina. — Whole State at all seasons. 



Fig. 153 



The Flicker is now separated into two subspecies, both of which presumably 

 occur in the State. These are: 



1. Flicker, Colaptes auratus auratus (Linn.). Smaller with relatively longer bill, 

 wing less than 6.00, tail less than 4.00. Colors darker, less yellow below and more 

 black spotting. Breeds from North Carolina southward. 



2. Northern Fhcker, Colaptes auratus luteus (Bangs). Larger with relatively 

 shorter bill; \ving over 6.00, tail over 4.00. Colors lighter, more yellow below and 

 less black. Breeds from North Carolina northward. 



The first form would include our breeding birds from the coast to Raleigh or 

 perhaps even farther west, while the second form would take in the breeding birds 

 of the mountains and the bulk of those that winter in the State. 



The Flicker, almost universally knowii in this State by the local name, "Yellow- 

 hammer," occurs in all portions of North Carolina throughout the year, but is 

 much more common in the migrations during October and March. 



Flickers feed very largely on the ground, often in company with birds of other 

 species. Their food consists to a large extent of ants, which they dig from the 



