and seek around the tree trunks, approach the subject of their love, retreat again, drum 

 loudly and powerfully on old dry limbs and call in the most melodious and persuasive 

 notes. I have rarely seen more amusing and pleasing performances than the courtship 

 among these birds. It takes often several days before the female decides whom of the 

 several males she will follow. As soon as this is done the other males leave the scene 

 of their cotirtship, trying their luck somewhere else. The loud drumming, frolicking, and 

 calling is, however, not confined to this time only, but is observed throughout the 

 breeding season. Near their nest they are perfectly silent, their drumming and calling 

 being heard quite a distance from it. Male and female are much attached to each other 

 and are mostly seen together. When it happens that one or the other is absent, the 

 sweetest and most caressing notes are uttered in order to call it back. 



With the exception of the still more beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker, the Flicker 

 is the best known of the whole family. Though not so strikingly colored as its congener, 

 it is much raore endeared to the heart of the friend of Nature, and more valuable 

 than the former. It is a favorite wherever known, ranking in the estimation of the 

 bird lover with such birds as the Robin, Catbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Towhee, 

 Baltimore Oriole, Mockingbird, and others. Its breeding range seems to be more exten- 

 sive than that of any other species of the family, being found from Florida and the: 

 Rio Grande of Texas to the Yukon in Alaska, and from the Atlantic west to the Rocky 

 Mountains. I found it most numerous in the mixed woods of Wisconsin and less common 

 in the oak woods of northern Illinois. In the Ozark region of south-western Missouri 

 it was only fairly common, while in Texas and Florida I found it sparingly during the 

 breeding season, but very abundant in winter. Owing to its beauty, confidence, and 

 familiarity the Flicker is in all localities of its wide range a favorite with all bird lovers 

 and all friends of Nature. Few birds are better known and possess more local names 

 than this species. In allusion to its common note Sick, Sick, it has been called "Flicker," 

 and its names "Wake-up," "Wick-up," and "Wicket" have also been derived from its 

 notes. "Golden- winged Woodpecker" and "Yellow-hammer" designate its prevaiKng 

 color of the wings. In reference to its favorite food, which consists of ants, it has been 

 called "Ant-eater" and "Ant-pecker." Other vernacular names are "High-hole," "High- 

 holder," and "Pigeon Woodpecker." 



In the northern parts of its habitat the Flicker is a regular migrant, though a few 

 may remain in the breeding range throughout the year. From southern Illinois, Tennessee, 

 and southern Missouri southward it is a constant resident throughout the year. I have 

 observed its arrival from the North in south-eastern Texas early in November, and it 

 is a peculiar fact that it moves, unlike other species of the family, in flocks, from ten 

 to thirty; even a hundred being sometimes seen together. Many winter in southern 

 Illinois and in Arkansas, but the majority find their true winter home in the Gulf States. 

 In Wisconsin they are Uttle behind the Robins in their spring migration, appearing 

 usually in the first week of April, though the bulk of young males and the females do 

 not arrive until a fortnight later. Probably the first arrivals are birds who breed in 

 high northern latitudes. By the middle of May they again occupy their old haunts. 

 The breeding range of each pair extends over several acres, and its limits are jealously 

 guarded against intrusion by the old male. 



