330 
WOODPECKERS 
These unusual markings are supposed to be due to hybridization of our 
Flicker with the western or Red-shafted Flicker, which resembles the eastern 
species in pattern of coloration, but has the crown brownish gray or grayish 
brown, the throat stripes scarlet, the throat and breast gray, the under 
surface of wings and tail dull red, and lacks the red nuchal band. (See an 
important paper on the relationships of these birds by Dr. J. A. Allen, in the 
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. IV., 1892, 21-44). 
Range. — N. and e. N. Am. Breeds from tree limits in nw. Alaska, to 
s. Ungava, and N. F., east of the Rocky Mts., to n. edge of Austroriparian 
fauna; occasional on Pacific slope from Calif, northward; accidental in 
Greenland; migratory through most of Canada but more or less regularly 
resident within the U. S., except the extreme n. parts; s. in winter to the 
Gulf coast and s. Tex. 
Washington, common S. R., rare W. V. Ossining, common S. R., Mch. 
25-Oct. 30; a few winter. Cambridge, very common S. R., common W. V. 
N. Ohio, common S. R. Mch. 10-Nov. 15; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, 
common S. R., Mch. 7-Dec. 24; a few winter. SE. Minn., common S. R., 
Mch. 21-Oct. 16. 
Nest, in trees, at varying heights from the ground, frequently in orch- 
ards. Eggs, 5-9, 1T0 x ‘86. Date , Chester Co., Pa., May 13; D. C., 
May 4; Cambridge, May 10; se. Minn., Apl. 28. 
The habits, notes, and colors of this well-known bird are reflected 
in the popular names which have been applied to it throughout its 
wide range. No less than 124 of these aliases have been recorded, and 
many have doubtless escaped the compiler. 
The Flicker is a bird of character. Although a Woodpecker, he 
is too original to follow in the footsteps of others of his tribe. They 
do not frequent the ground, but that is no reason why he should not 
humor his own terrestrial propensities and a fondness for ants, and we 
may therefore frequently flush him from the earth, when, with a low 
chuckle, be goes bounding off through the air, his white rump showing 
conspicuously as he flies. 
The Flicker, like other Woodpeckers, beats a rolling tattoo in the 
spring, but his vocal song proper is a rapidly-repeated, mellow cith- 
cuh-cuh-cuh-cuh, etc., as springlike a sound as the peeping of frogs. 
His usual note is a vigorous, nasal kee-yer. It recalls frosty fall morn- 
ings when the High-holes are gathering to feed on the woodbine and 
pepperidge berries. Approaching their feeding-grounds, one may hear 
the “Flicker” note. It can be closely imitated by the swishing of a 
willow wand: weechew , weechew, weechew. I never remember hearing 
a bird utter this note when alone. It is accompanied by the oddest 
gestures, as with tails stiffly spread the birds bob and bow to each 
other. 
1892. Allen, J. A., Bull. A. M. N. H., 21-44 (hybridism). — 1900. 
Burns, F. L., Wilson Bull., 1-82 (monograph). — 1910. Sherman, A. R., 
Wilson Bull., 135-171 (home-life). 
