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Nesting. Nests in holes excavated in dead stubs, usually in the open, rarely if ever 

 in dense woods. The peculiar interrelation of distinct species is well illustrated by this 

 bird. Its deserted nesting-holes are made use of by many other species which are incap- 

 able of excavating their own. Sparrow Hawks, Tree Swallows, Crested Flycatchers, 

 and some other useful species are thus directly dependent upon Woodpeckers, especially 

 Flickers, for nesting sites. There are many other such cases of interdependence in 

 nature; some are obvious and well known, some we surmise, and others perhaps we do 

 not and cannot at present even suspect. This is a cogent reason for caution in disturbing 

 the established order of nature. 



Distribution. The Flicker in its various subspecies is distributed over all eastern 

 North America, north to the tree limits. It breeds wherever found in Canada. 



SUBSPECIES. The Flicker is divided into several subspecies, the eastern Canadian 

 variety being known as the Northern Flicker C. a. luteus. 



The most familiar of the Woodpeckers to the general public, as is 

 indicated by the great number of vernacular names that have been applied 

 to it; only the principal ones are given above. The loud "Flicker, flicker, 

 flicker," of the male and the piercing "Peiu-u" of both sexes are well 

 known and easily recognized sounds. Though a true Woodpecker the 

 Flicker is a pronounced ground feeder and is especially fond of ants, of 

 which its food is often largely composed. It delights to cling to a hollow 

 tree trunk and beat out reverberating rattling tattoos that can be heard 

 for great distances. This noise seems to be made as a call to its mate 

 or may sometimes be from sheer exuberance of spirits. The reproductive 

 powers of the Flicker are phenomenal. By taking away the eggs as they 

 are laid it has been known to lay thirty or more in a season. It seems 

 to be able to keep up the deposition until the set is complete. 



Economic Status. Ants constitute nearly half the food of the Flicker. 

 The remainder of its insect food consists of both beneficial and harmful 

 species, but the latter noticeably predominate. It takes some fruit, grain, 

 and mast; but on the whole must be considered beneficial rather than 

 harmful. Perhaps the worst charge that can be made against the species 

 is its scattering of the seeds of the poison oak and ivy and so aiding in the 

 spread of these harmful plants. 



Order Macrochires. Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds. 



In this order are grouped a number of birds that after further inves- 

 tigation may be rearranged. The present classification of the American 

 Ornithologists' Union is avowedly tentative and adhered to only until 

 a permanent system can be agreed upon. The various suborders of 

 the division are more easily recognized by their differences than by their 

 agreements, and those points in which they differ will be emphasized in 

 the following descriptions. 



SUBORDER CAPRIMULGI. GOATSUCKERS. 



This is a widely distributed suborder divided into a number of families. 

 A description of the one family represented in North America will serve 

 for the recognition of the native species. 



