330 WOODPECKERS 



These unusual markings are supposed to be due to hybridization of our 

 Flicker with the western or Red-shafted Flicker, which resembles the eastern 

 species in pattern of coloration, but has the crown brownish gray or grayish 

 brown, the throat stripes scarlet, the throat and breast gray, the under 

 surface of wings and tail dull red, and lacks the red nuchal band. (See an 

 important paper on the relationships of these birds by Dr. J. A. Allen, in the 

 Bull Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. IV., 1892, 21-44). 



Range. N. and e. N. Am. Breeds from tree limits in nw. Alaska, to 

 s. Ungava, and N. F., east of the Rocky Mts., to n. edge of Austroriparian 

 fauna; occasional on Pacific slope from Calif, northward; accidental in 

 Greenland; migratory through most of Canada but more or less regularly 

 resident within the U. S., except the extreme n. parts; s. in winter to the 

 Gulf coast and s. Tex. 



Washington, common S. R., rare W. V. Ossining, common S. R., Mch. 

 25-Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very common S. R., common W. V. 

 N. Ohio, common S. R. Mch. 10-Nov. 15; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, 

 common S. R., Mch. 7-Dec. 24; a few winter. SE. Minn., common S. R., 

 Mch. 21-Oct. 16. 



Nest, in trees, at varying heights from the ground, frequently in orch- 

 ards. Eggs, 5-9, 1*10 x '86. Date, Chester Co., Pa., May 13; D. C., 

 May 4; Cambridge, May 10; se. Minn., Apl. 28. 



The habits, notes, and colors of this well-known bird are reflected 

 in the popular names which have been applied to it throughout its 

 wide range. No less than 124 of these aliases have been recorded, and 

 many have doubtless escaped the compiler. 



The Flicker is a bird of character. Although a Woodpecker, he 

 is too original to follow in the footsteps of others of his tribe. They 

 do not frequent the ground, but that is no reason why he should not 

 humor his own terrestrial propensities and a fondness for ants, and we 

 may therefore frequently flush him from the earth, when, with a low 

 chuckle, he goes bounding off through the air, his white rump showing 

 conspicuously as he flies. 



The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, beats a rolling tattoo in the 

 spring, but his vocal song proper is a rapidly-repeated, mellow cuh- 

 cuh-cuh-cuh-cuh, etc., as springlike a sound as the peeping of frogs. 

 His usual note is a vigorous, nasal kee-yer. It recalls frosty fall morn- 

 ings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodbine and 

 pepperidge berries. Approaching their feeding-grounds, one may hear 

 the "Flicker" note. It can be closely imitated by the swishing of a 

 willow wand: weechew, weechew, weechew. I never remember hearing 

 a bird utter this note when alone. It is accompanied by the oddest 

 gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each 

 other. 



1892. ALLEN, J. A., Bull. A. M. N. H., 21-44 (hybridism). 1900. 

 BURNS, F. L., Wilson Bull., 1-82 (monograph). 1910. SHERMAN, A. R. f 

 Wilson Bull., 135-171 (home-life). 



