FLICKER 



127 



FIG. 64. 



Flicker ; High-hole ; Yellow-hammer : Colaptes 

 auratus. 



Adult male, back brownish, barred with black ; throat pinkish 

 fawn and rest of under parts lighter, spotted with black ; red 

 band on back of neck ; rump white ; black stripe on sides of 

 throat and black crescent on breast ; tinder side of wings and 

 tail yellow. Adult female, similar, but without black streaks 

 on sides of throat. Length, 12 inches. 



GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. North America west to Alaska 

 and the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains ; breeds through- 

 out its range, and winters from Illinois and Massachusetts 

 southward. 



Though the Flicker is to be found with us dur- 

 ing the winter, his loud ringing {f-if-if-if-if-if-if 

 is especially associated with the spring smell of 

 the damp woods-earth, and the first glad awaken- 

 ing. Sometimes it is only a single note, a loud, 



