Plate LIV. 



Fig, 5. COLAPTES AURATUS-Yellow-shafted Flicker. 



The Yellow-shafted Flicker, Yellow Hammer, Flickup, Golden-winged Wookpecker, or Highholer, as 

 this bird is variously called, remains in Ohio throughout the year. It is at all times common, but is the 

 most plentiful during the summer and fall. The nest is constructed in May or the first of June, and 

 two broods are sometimes reared by a single pair during a season. 



LOCALITY: 



The Yellow Hammer frequents partially cleared land and fields, with here and there a decayed tree or 

 tree-trunk still standing, in preference to heavily wooded districts. Although shy, it is not afraid to venture 

 into the orchard and lawn, and even at times into town. When the nesting season arrives, a dead limb 

 or trunk is chosen for the site from among the trees in its accustomed haunts. Occasionally the nest is 

 excavated in a gate-post, a telegraph pole, or some such place on the most frequented country thoroughfares. 



POSITION : 



The excavation for the home is usually made in a perpendicular trunk or limb, but sometimes it is in 

 a trunk or limb considerably inclined, and even occasionally in a horizontal limb. Its distance from the 

 ground varies from four or five feet to the height of the tallest limbs large enough for the nest. The 

 majority of nests are within fifteen feet of the ground. When the trunk or limb inclines, the door-way 

 is situated on the underside; thus water is prevented from running into the nest. Not infrequently the 

 door-way is placed immediately under a projecting knot or limb. 



MATERIALS : 



No materials are carried for the nest; the only requisite being a suitable piece of wood large enough 

 for the cavity, soft enough for the birds to cut with their bills, and properly situated. Dead and semi- 

 decayed wood is selected, on account of the ease with which it can be worked. The entrance to the nest 

 is circular, and about three and one-eighth inches in diameter. A few inches from the surface of the trunk or 

 limb the cavity turns downward, just as illustrated on Plate XLIV, in the nest of the Red-headed Wood- 

 pecker. The depth of the cavity varies much; usually it is about twelve inches, but it maybe consider- 

 ably less, or even twice as much. The diameter of the cavity is also subject to great variation in dif- 

 ferent nests ; commonly it is in its smallest diameter about twice the size of the door-way. A quantity 

 of chips are always left in the bottom of the cavity, and these form a soft and even floor for the eggs 

 and young. Very rarely a natural cavity is used for the nest. 



EGGS : 



The complement of eggs varies from five to nine, six or seven being the ordinary numbers; very 



197 



