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HIGH-HOLE FLICKER, 



{Coloptes Auratus,) 

 Spring has scarcely a more hardy or an earlier visitor 

 than this bird. Before the leaves are upon the trees, 

 and before anything has awakened much from winter's 

 sleep, this brave and active member of the woodpecker 

 family may be seen on the highest tree-tops, tapping 

 them and uttering his loud notes, so familiar to alL 

 The plumage is brownish black above, and yellow be- 

 neath, with a large bla^k crescent in front. It has 

 a red patch near the tail, also a white one which show^s 

 very plainly when flying. This species often comes to 

 the ground and searches among the leaves for food. 

 Its nest is placed in a hole in the trunk of a forest tree, 

 well up. Eggs number from four to six, pure white, 

 and nearly round. These birds are sought for food. 



BELTED KINGFISHER. 



{Ceryle Alcyoiu) 

 We now have before us one of our most beautiful 

 water birds. It arrives in early spring, and may be 

 seen flying along the banks of streams or over large 

 ponds. Its plumage is blue, green and white, inter- 

 mixed and barred. It has a grand belt from which it 

 gets its name. The bill is very large and strong, being 

 adapted to the purpose of fishing, by which it lives. 

 Sitting on a stake or tree near the water it watches 

 closely for its prey, and when it sees a fish it darts into 

 the water and secures it. Nest is placed in a deep hole 

 in the bank of a stream, a little hay or straw being 

 used. Eggs, four or five, white, and nearly round. 



