192 
NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 
O 
THE CLAPE, OR GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 
PlCtTS AURATUS. 
PLATE XV. FIG. 33. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Ficus auratus. Linn^ds, Syst. Nat. p. 174. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 270. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 
1, p. 45, pi. 3, fig. 1. V ieillot, Ois. de l’Am. pi, 100. Bonaparte, Ann. Bye. N. Y. Vol. 
2, p. 44. Audubon, fol. pi. 37. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 561. 
Colaptes id. Rich. & Swainson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 314. Kirtland, Zool. Ohio, p. 162. Peabody, Mass. 
Rep. p. 333. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 4, p. 282, pi. 273. 
Colaptes auratus. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 40. 
Picus id.j Golden-winged Woodpecker. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 181. 
Characteristics. Brown, barred with black : a black crescent on the breast: a red occipi¬ 
tal band : shafts of the wings and tail yellow. Female, no black streak 
on the chin. Young, without the black crescent. Length, 12-13 
inches. 
Description. Bill compressed, carinate, smooth and curved. First quill very small; 
third and fourth longest. Tail-feathers ten, broad and acute, extending 2*1 beyond the tips 
of the closed wings. 
Color. Head and neck bluish grey : a transverse red band across the back part of the neck. 
Upper parts brown, spotted with black. A black streak on each side of the cinnamon- 
colored neck, and a black lunated spot on the breast. Belly white, spotted with black. Under 
side of the wings salmon-colored; of the tail, saffron-yellow : the tips black; in some, bor¬ 
dered with dull whitish. Rump white ; tail above black. Female, the black lunate spot on 
the breast smaller, and the lateral streaks on the throat wanting. 
Length, 12'0 - 13*0. Alar extent, 17• 0-19-0. 
This species, from the extreme beauty of its plumage, has attracted general attention, and 
received many popular names in different districts. It is called High-hole, Yucker, Flicker, 
Wake-up, and Pigeon Woodpecker, and usually Clape in this State. This last I suppose to 
be some provincial word, introduced by the early English colonists. In Louisiana, Pique- 
hois jaune. Its food, incubation and habits as in the preceding. It is a southern species, 
residing in the Southern States during the whole year, and ranging across the whole conti¬ 
nent between the parallels of 25° and 63° north latitude. In this State, it often remains until 
the winter has fairly set in, and a few remain during the year. Alfhough occasionally feed¬ 
ing on indian corn, it is, like all its congeners, of great benefit to man. 
