FLICKER. 421 



"Another April comer," says John Burroughs, the poet-oniithologist, "who arrives 

 shortly after Robin Red-breast, with whom he associates both at this season and in 

 autumn, is the Gold-winged Woodpecker, alias 'High-hole,' alias 'Flicker,' alias 'Yarup.' 

 He is an old favorite of my boyhood, and his note to me means very much. He announces 

 his arrival by a long, loud call, repeated from the dry branch of some tree, or a stake in 

 the fence — a thoroughly melodious April sound. I think how Solomon finished that 

 beautiful description of spring, 'And the voice of the Turtle is heard in the land,' and see 

 that a description of spring in this farming country, to be equally characteristic, should 

 culminate in like manner, — 'And the call of the High-hole comes up from the wood.'" 



The Flicker is not an inhabitant of the deep interior of the forest. Its favorite 

 haunts are cultivated localities, where woods alternate with pastures, fields, orchards, 

 and meadows. The outskirts of mixed woods, consisting of a variety of deciduous 

 trees and white pines are particularly favored, and in such places often one pair dwells 

 near the other. Old stumps and partly decayed limbs on the borders of woods or on 

 the banks of creeks and lakes, near the roadside, in a pasture or meadow, as well as 

 old apple orchards will answer the purpose of choosing its nesting-site. Most numerous 

 it is on the woodland border near pastui-es and fields. From here it undertakes excur- 

 sions in quest of food to all directions of its territory. As it procures its food largely 

 on the ground the deep interior of the forest is rarely visited. Few other birds are more 

 conspicuous in their breeding haunts than the Flicker. Being very noisy, large, of 

 striking colors, rather tame and unsuspicious where it feels safe, and always in a happy 

 mood, it pervades its haunts with the peculiarity of its presence. It is always a feature 

 in the landscape, that cannot be overlooked. The stumps in pastures and fields, and 

 especially the ant nests are constantly visited and even the bam yards and orchards are 

 often searched for insects. 



Usually by the end of May a suitable place is selected for a. nesting-site. Old 

 stumps and partly decayed limbs of beeches, lindens, elms, sugar maples, birches, and 

 oaks answer the purpose particularly. I have found the nest also in white cedars and 

 in tamaracks, usually at a distance from the ground varying from three to fifty feet, 

 but as a rule it is situated from ten to twenty feet from the ground. A fresh cavity is 

 constructed every year, but where suitable stumps and limbs are not readily available it 

 sometimes occupies one cavity for several years. In some cases the Flicker selects rather 

 abnormal places for its nest. During two seasons I found a pair breeding on the gable 

 end of a barn, where the eggs were placed on a few chips on a beam. The entrance hole 

 was drilled through the boards near the nest. When chiseling its nest the greatest i)re- 

 caution is taken not to betray its whereabouts. While working only a low subdued 

 hammering is heard. They approach very stealthily, and the main work is done early 

 in the morning and late in the evening. Scarcely any chips are found underneath the 

 nest, as they are carefully carried away that the site of the domicile may not be betrayed. 

 The male and female alternately relieve and encourage each other by mutual caresses, 

 renewing their labors for several days till the nest is, finished. The cavity is from ten 

 to twenty inches deep and a masterpiece of workmanship. There is no soft lining present, 

 and the eggs rest only on a few soft chips. These, varying in number from five to 

 nine, are pure glossy-white. 



