BIRDS OF KANSAS 101 



notes are among the most characteristic sounds of spring, 

 at which time he is thoroughly noisy. Coming from the 

 south in Large numbers, late in March or early in April, 

 ascending some tall, dry tree top, at early dawn, he an- 

 nouuces himself, either by a sonorous rapping on the 

 dry wood, or by a loud squealing, but jovial call, ^ Chee- 

 ah, chee-ah,' which, once noted, is not easily forgotten. 

 But even this latter is not half so awakening as a certain 

 prolonged strain, nearly two syllables in regular repeti- 

 tion, something like ^ Whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah, Avhric'k-ah, 

 whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah, whric'k-ah.' This vocal per- 

 formance, meant for a song, no doubt, is a mere rollicking 

 racket, toned doAvn, indeed, amidst the many voices of 

 spring, and even rendered pleasing by its good-natured 

 hilarity. How significant is that little love note, ^ Yu- 

 cah,' half guttural, half whisper, which he repeats at 

 intervals, as he flits about the solitude of the forest in 

 spring, or plays bo-peep with his lover, around the broken- 

 off top or limb of some dead tree. 



"His flight is swift, vigorous and dashing; is per- 

 formed in curves by a few flaps of the wings, curving 

 upward several feet, when alighting on the trunk of a 

 tree, but ending horizontally when alighting crosswise 

 on a limb, after the manner of perching birds. In manner, 

 as in structure, he is not precisely like the rest of his fam- 

 ily. At home anywhere, from the tallest tree top to the 

 ground, and always in a hurry when afoot, he w^ll capture 

 his insect food after the manner of Robins and Sparrows. 

 Ants of all sizes are especially in favor with him." 



Berries, fruits, nuts and grains also help to make up 

 their bill of fare. They usually select for a nesting place 



