WOODPECKERS AND GOATSUCKERS. 49 



over 3,000 of these insects at a meal. In addition, nickers capture 

 many beetles and other insects and take a large variety of wild fruits, 

 berries, and seeds. Corn and other grains are only rarely eaten. 



Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus luteus. 



The northern form of the flicker occurs as a breeder only in the 

 mountainous parts, but in winter it may be found more or less 

 frequently throughout the State. Breeding specimens were taken 

 at Mammoth Spring, and the bird is reported in summer from Fayette- 

 ville and Clinton. In winter it is recorded as abundant at Stutt- 

 gart * (Hollister) , and of frequent occurrence at Fayetteville and 

 Clinton. Hanna found nickers common at Van Buren in December 

 and took two specimens of this subspecies. 



Red-shafted Flicker. Colaptes cafer collaris. 



This is a western species breeding as far east as eastern Nebraska 

 and western Texas. It occurs only casually in Arkansas, there being 

 but one record — a typical specimen taken by Mr. G. Dallas Hanna 

 at Van Buren, January 7, 1911. In habits this species closely 

 resembles the eastern nicker. 



Chuck- will's- widow. Antrostomus carolinensis. 



This curious bird, resembling in appearance a large whippoorwill, 

 is so retiring in its habits that it is rarefy seen. It occurs commonly 

 as a summer resident in many parts of the State, arriving from the 

 South about the middle of April (Cerro Gordo, April 13, 1890; Hel- 

 ena, April 19, 1896), and departing in early fall. Although char- 

 acteristic of the Lower Austral Zone, this species seems to be more 

 abundant in the foothills than in the lowlands. It is reported as a 

 summer resident at Newport and Helena, but I did not observe it 

 in the lowlands. In the foothills near Delight it is common. On 

 May 20, at dusk, the birds could be heard in every direction calling 

 from the edges of the mixed upland timber. Three or four were 

 heard on the lower slopes of Hich Mountain, where the upper limit 

 of the bird was found to be about 1,800 feet. Although not seen in 

 the higher parts of the Ozark region, it ranges up the valley of White 

 River as far, at least, as Cotter. It was noted also at Mammoth 

 Spring. Mr. C. E. Pleas, writing from Clinton, reports these birds 

 abundant and says: 



Their favorite retreat here is open, sterile, rocky ground bordering the hill- 

 sides. * * * Of a hundred or more which I have traced up in the moonlight, 

 every one was perched on the ground, a rock, or a log, or occasionally on a low limb or 

 snag when singing. 2 



1 Possibly including also some of the southern form. 2 Oologist, VII, p. 156, 1890, 



94869°— Bull. 38—11 4 



