340 HISTORY OF THE 



the rest of his family. At home anywhere, from the tallest tree 

 top to the ground, and always in a harry when afoot, he will 

 capture his insect food after the manner of Robins and Spar- 

 rows. 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 an old stub or 

 decaying tree, and readily excavate a hole or dress up a cavity 

 in the same to suit, and where suitable trees are not convenient 

 to their chosen homes, they will chip through cornices and into 

 nooks in outbuildings in fact, take possession of most any dark 

 suitable cavity. Eggs usually five to seven; a much larger 

 number have occasionally been found, but in such cases I am 

 inclined to think other females assisted, although, when robbed 

 of the egg as laid, the bird will often continue laying to the 

 number of twenty and upward. They vary much in size. Ridg- 

 way says, l.lOx. 85; I make the average dimensions of a few 

 sets to be 1. OCx. 84; pure pearly white; in form, rather elliptical 

 to oblong ovate. A set collected May llth, 1878, at Pewau- 

 kee, Wisconsin, only measure: l.OOx. 81, 1.03x. 80, 1.03x. 82, 

 1.05x.82. 



Colaptes cafer (GMEL.). 



RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. 

 PLATE XXII. 



Resident; rare in the eastern part of the State, common in 

 the western. Begin laying the last of April to first of May. 



B. 98. R. 3786. C. 459. G. 176, 161. U. 413. 



HABITAT. Western United States, except the northwest coast 

 and Lower California; south into southern Mexico. 



SP. CHAR. "Shafts and under surface of wing and tail feathers orange red. 

 Male with a red patch on each side of the cheek; nape without red crescent; 

 sometimes very faint indications laterally. Throat and stripe beneath the eye 

 bluish ash. Back glossed with purplish brown. Female without the red cheek 

 patch." 



ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS. " Spots on the belly, a crescent on the breast, 

 and interrupted transverse bands on the back, black." 



Stretch of 

 Length. iving. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male 12.75 20.50 6.40 4.75 1.10 1.45 



Female.. 12.50 20.00 6.25 4.50 1.10 1.40 



