BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 51 



GENUS MELANERPES. 



(406) Red-headed Woodpecker. 



(Melanerpes erythrocephalous.) 



A summer resident, still common, but much less abundant than it 

 was a few years ago. Breeds throughout its range. 

 Arrives early in May, ueparts early in September. 



GENUS CENTURUS. 



(*) (409) Red-bellied Woodpecker. 



(Centurus carolinus.) 



Rare summer resident in the south- western counties; occurring 

 regularly as far east as the County of Wentworth. Breeds throughout its 

 range in the Province. 



GENUS COLAPTES. 



(412) Flicker. (Golden-winged Woodpecker, High-holer.) 

 (Colaptes auratus.) 



Common summer resident. Breeds throughout the Province. 



Arrives about the middle of April, departs early in October. 



Our form is C. a. luteus. 



Though classed amongst the Woodpeckers, by reason of certain 

 similarities of structure, it does less wood-pecking than any other of its 

 family, its beak not being so well fitted for that operation as the beaks 

 of the others. It is chiefly a ground feeder, ants forming a large portion 

 of its food. For the purpose of enabling it to capture these insects in 

 their underground burrows, its tongue is peculiarly specialized. 



Order MACROCHIRES. (Goatsuckers, Swifts and Humming Birds.) 



W T ings very long and pointed. ^arsus short; feet small and weak, 

 with three toes in front, one behind. The hind toe usually somewhat ele- 

 vated. 



FAMILY CAPRIMULGID^. 



Mouth highly specialized, the gape enormously wide, beak short. In 

 Antrostomus the rectal bristles are long and coarse, very distinct. 

 Plumage soft in texture, much marbled and mottled with black, brown, 

 grey and yellowish white, the combination forming a splendid example 

 of protective coloration. The middle claw pectinate. Largely nocturnal. 

 Entirely insectivorous, obtaining their food while on the wing. 



