402 BIRDS—PICIDA. 
Yellow-spotted Woodpecker, BALLOU, Field and Forest, iii, 1878, 136. 
Cuculus auratus, LINNAUS, Syst. Nat., i, 1758, 112. 
Picus auratus, LINNAXUS, Syst. Nat., i, 1766, 174. 
Coelaptes auratus, SWAINSON, Zool. Journ., iti, 1827, 353. 
Baok, wing coverte, and innermost quills elivaceous-brown thickly barred with black. 
Rump snowy-white. Quills and tail golden-yellew uaderneath, and shafts of this color. 
A scarlet nuchal crescent and large blaek pectoral erescent in both sexes; male with 
‘black maxillary patches, wanting im the female, head and nape ash, ehim, throat and 
breast lilac-brown; under parts with numerous round black spots; sides tinged with 
creamy-brown, belly with yellowish. About 10 inches long; wing about 6; tail, 44. 
Habitat, Eastern North America, to the slopes and foot-hills of the Roeky Mountains, 
where in many localities it becomes mixed with C. americanus. Alaska. Greenland. 
ccidental in Europe. 
Abundant summer resident, and in part resident during the whole 
year throughout the State. The Golden-winged Woodpecker arrives in 
great numbers early in April, and is then in flocks in woods. A con- 
siderable number pass on to the north, while those which remain 
become generally dispersed over the country. The majority depart for 
the South{in November, those which remain through the winter do not 
congregate in considerable flocks, but, in small companies, roam the 
fields and woods in search of food. 
This bird is known by a number of names besides the ones above given, 
High-hole, Wake-up and Yellow-hammer, in allusion to its nesting, note, 
and color, respectively. 
Its ordinary note is singular, and suggests a violent hiccough, if it is 
possible for birds to be so affected, and in addition it often sounds a 
subdued, rolling, guttural chirrup. Its habits as to food differ somewhat 
from allothers of the family. It is very fond of corn both green and 
ripe, and is a great devourer of ants, indeed it seems to be specially 
adapted for obtaining these insects. Its long, curved, pickaxe-like bill, 
is employed in breaking down deeayed logs and stumps, where these in- 
sects abound, and whieh it eolleets upon its long and slimy tongue. 
They may often be seen probing an ant-hill, for these insects. 
Albinoes of this bird, are, perhaps, more frequent than among other 
species of the family. Mr. Langdon (Obs.) says: “:A beautiful Albino 
has been taken at Valley Junction, by Mr. Harry Hunt, and is now;in 
his collection. It is of a delicate cream color, but the red nape shows 
plainly, and the pectoral crescent obscurely.” A specimen, perhaps 
darker buff, but the other markings corresponding to the above descrip- 
tion, was taken by;Mr. W. R. Limpert, near Groveport, in this county, 
several years since, and is now in my keeping. Mr.! Joseph Sullivant, 
