133) LAND BIRDS " 
lighted the lowlands, and during the day it floated 
through the wood like a wandering voice. It was diffi- 
cult to tell by the sound just how far away he was, but 
I knew that he was busy feasting where the tent cater- 
pillars nested. In my heart I blessed him for his choice 
of food, for he is the only bird that will touch these 
pests, and even he clips off the hairs before he swallows 
the morsel. 
413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. — Colaptes cafer collaris. 
Famity: The Woodpeckers. 
Length : 12.75-14.00. 
Adult Male: General color of body and head brownish, becoming no- 
ticeably grayer on back of neck ; ramp white ; back narrowly barred 
with black ; tail black; nuchal band and mustache red; a black 
crescent on chest; under side of wings and tail red; under parts 
thickly spotted with round black dots. 
Adult Female: Like male, but malar stripe usually buffy. 
Young: Like adults, but with no mustache. 
Geographical Distribution : Western United States from Rocky Moun- 
tains to the Pacifie coast ; north to Sitka, south to Mexico. 
California Breeding Range: In suitable localities throughout the State. 
Breeding Season: May and June. 
Nest : In trees or stumps, from 2 to 70 feet from the ground ; and also 
in sides of banks. 
Eggs: 5to10; white. Size 1.12 * 0.86. 
THe Eastern flicker, known as “ yellow-hammer,” 
“high-holer,” or “ golden-shafted woodpecker,’ is repre- 
sented in California by the Red-shafted Flicker, a bird 
similar in everything except his red malar stripe and the 
under surface of the wing-quills and tail-feathers, which 
in his case are rose-color or soft scarlet instead of yellow. 
In call-notes, nesting habits, and food the Western 1s 
