ORDER PICI 



Family Picidae 



Northern Flicker; Golden-winged Woodpecker. — 

 Colaptes auratus luteus. 12.00 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Flies in very long lopes, drawing up abruptly 

 at the end of each; large white patch on rump shows in 

 flight; scarlet band across back of neck; black crescent 

 across breast; underside of wings and tail bright yellow; 

 back light chocolate-brown, barred with black; head 

 plain brown; under parts heavily spotted with dark 

 brown; bill long and curved. 



Early in the Spring, when lovemaking is in order, the 

 Yellow-hammer, as it is sometimes called, shouts its name, 

 flicker, from arboreal heights. At this time and all through 

 the breeding season he is a true Woodpecker, but in 

 midsummer he descends to die open field and digs for worms 

 like a Robin. In the Autumn when chokecherries and the 

 fruit of the pepperidge tree are ripe, great numbers gadier and 

 devour the luscious fruit. Then they break up into small 

 flocks and fly south. The nest is in a hollow limb, which is 

 generally excavated by the birds themselves. From six to 

 ten glossy white eggs are laid. A Flicker family, just before 

 the young are ready to take to flight, is a noisy bunch. 



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