402 BIRDS — PICID^. 



Tellow-spotted Woodpecker, Ballou, Field and Forest, iii, 1878, 136. 



Cuculus auratui, Linn^us, Syst. Nat., i, 1758, 112. 

 Picus auratus, LiNN^fflUS, Syst. Nat., i, 176C, 174. 

 Calaptea auratua, Swainson, Zool. Jonrs., iM, 1827, 353. 



Back, wing coverts, and innermost qnills olivaceoBS-brown thickly barred with black. 

 Rump snowy-white. Qaills and tail golden-yellew imderneath, and shafts of this color. 

 A Bcarlat nnchal crescent and large blaek pectoral oresctnt in both sexes ; male with 

 black maxillary patches, wanting in the female, head and nape ash, shki, throat and 

 breast lilac-brown ; under parts with nnmerons roand Maek apbts ; sides tiaged with 

 creamy-brown, belly with yellowish. About 10 inches long ; wing abont 6 ; tail, i\. 



Habitat, Eastern North America, to the slopes and foot-hills of the Boeky Moantains, 

 where in many localities it becomes mixed with C. americanua. Alaska. Greenland, 

 ccldental in Europe. 



Abundant summer resident, and in part resident during the whole 

 year throughout the State. The Golden-winged Woodpecker arrives in 

 great numbers early in April, and is then in flocks in woods. A con- 

 siderable number pass on to the north, while those which remain 

 become generally dispersed over the country. The majority depart for 

 the South^in November, those which remain through the winter do not 

 congregate in considerable flocks, but, in small companies, roam the 

 fields and woods in search of food. 



This bird is known by a number of names besides the ones above given, 

 High-hole, Wake-up and Yellow-hammer, in allusion to its nesting, note, 

 and color, respectively. 



Itb ordinary note is singular, and suggests a violent hiccough, if it is 

 possible for birds to be so affected, and in addition it often sounds a 

 subdued, rolling, guttural chirrup. Its habits as to food differ somewhat 

 from all others of the family. It is very fond of corn both green and 

 ripe, and is a great devourer of ants, indeed it seems to be specially 

 adapted for obtaining these insects. Its long, curved, pickaxe-like bill, 

 is employed in breaking down decayed logs and stumps, where these in- 

 sects abound, and which it collects upon its long and slimy tongue. 

 They may often be seen probing an ant-hill, for these insects. 



Albinoes of this bird, are, perhaps, more frequent than among other 

 species of the family. Mr. Langdon (Obs.) says : " A beautiful Albino 

 has been taken at Valley Junction, by Mr. Harry Hunt, and is now in 

 his collection. It is of a delicate cream color, but the red nape shows 

 plainly, and the pectoral crescent obscurely." A specimen, perhapi 

 darker buff, but the other markings corresponding to the above descrip- 

 tion, was taken by^Mr. W. R. Limpert, near Groveport, in this county, 

 several years since, and is now in my keeping. Mr. Joseph SuUivant, 



