Cambridge, Mass.
1910.
July 18
[July 18, 1910]

A Flicker makes earth traps for ants

  I noticed, this morning, that quantities of fresh earth
had been thrown out from between the stone flags in the
walk in front of the Museum in our garden and wondered
what could have done it. The mystery was quickly
explained for early in the afternoon I saw a Flicker
busily engaged at the work. Hopping slowly along
sideways on the flags he made a dozen or more holes,
while I was watching him, in the earth between them.
It was packed hard on the surface and he had to peck
vigorously at first to make any impression on it. The
cracks were narrow (not more than 1/4 inch wide) in
places and more than once he missed his aim and
stuck his bill forcibly against the edge of a stone, making
an audible sound. After making the holes he visited
and revisited them and others which he had made
previously spending some time at each of them and