'42 cassell's book of birds. 



This species, which is common in all parts of the United States, where it is known by the name 

 of the Flicker (that word being supposed to resemble its cr)'), has been described at great length by 

 Audubon. " The flight of these birds," says that graphic writer, " is strong and prolonged ; they 

 propel themselves by numerous beats of the wings, with short intervals of sailing. Their migrations 

 are carried on at night, as is known by their note and the whistling of their wings. When passing 

 from one tree to another on wing, they fly in a straight line until when within a few yards of the spot 

 where they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise themselves a few feet and fasten themselves to 

 the bark by their claws and tail. If they intend to settle on a branch they do not previously rise ; and 

 in either case no sooner has the bird alighted than it nods its head and utters its well-known note, 

 ' Flicker.' It usually moves sideways on a small branch, keeping itself erect ; and with equal ease it 

 climbs by leaps along the trunks of trees or their branches, descends and moves sideways or spirally, 

 keeping at all times its head upward and its tail pressed against the bark as a support. On the 

 ground it also hops with great ease. Insects, seeds, berries, and fruit of various kinds constitute the 

 principal food of these Woodpeckers. No sooner has spring returned than their voice is heard from 

 the tops of high, decayed trees. Their note at this period is merriment itself, as it simulates a 

 prolonged and jovial laugh, heard at a considerable distance. Several males pursue a female, 

 and, to show the force of their love, bow their heads, spread their tails, and move sidewise, backwards, 

 forwards, performing such antics as might induce any one witnessing them to join his laugh to theirs. 

 The female flies to another tree, where she is closely followed by half a dozen of these gay suitors, 

 when again the same ceremony is gone through. No fighting occurs, no jealousy seems to exist 

 among them until a marked preference is shown for one, when the rest proceed in search of another 

 female. Each pair proceeds to excavate the trunk of a tree and make a hole large enough to contain 

 themselves and their young ; they both work with great industry and apparent pleasure. Should the 

 male be employed the female keeps close to him, and seems to congratulate him on every chip he 

 throws in the air. They caress each other on the branches, climb about and around the tree with 

 delight, rattle with their bill against the top of the dead boughs, chase all their cousins, the Red-heads, 

 defy the Purple Grakles to enter their nest, feed plentifully on insects, beetles, and larvae, cackling 

 at intervals, and ere a week be elapsed the female has laid four or five eggs, with a pure, white, 

 transparent shell." 



Their flesh is esteemed good by many sportsmen, and they are now and then exposed for sale in 

 the markets of New York and Philadelphia. 



THE RED-SHAFTED OR COPPER WOODPECKER. 



The Red-shafted or Copper Woodpecker i^Colapies Mexicanus), a very similar species, 

 inhabiting the Southern States of North America, Texas, and Mexico, is of a light reddish brown on 

 the top of the head and brow ; the upper part of the back is greyish brown, with undulating black 

 markings, and the lower portion white ; the tail-feathers are greyish brown with bright orange shafts ; 

 the chin and throat are light reddish grey ; the breast and belly somewhat deeper in shade, and spotted 

 wth black ; the throat is encircled by a red collar, and the upper breast decorated with a black line ; 

 the chin is also indicated by a reddish line. 



The manners of this species much resemble those of the species last described ; it is, however, 

 shyer in its habits, and but rarely comes to the ground. In the breeding season the male birds 

 display considerable animosity towards each other, and constantly utter a note resembling the word 

 " Whitto, whitto, whitto." The nest is made in a tree-trunk, and it is not uncommon to hear the 

 eager active couple hammering and bumping away like carpenters until a late hour in the evening. 

 The eggs have a pure white sliell. 



