[Illustration: THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER (_Colaptes auratus_).]
The GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER (_Colaptes auratus_) has a long, broad,
curved beak, which is compressed at its tip; the tarsus is considerably
longer than the exterior toe, and in the wing the fourth and fifth quills
exceed the rest in length. All the shafts of the pinion and tail-feathers
are bright yellow or red. Upon the back the plumage is of a dull reddish
brown, striped with black; the head and nape are grey, the former
adorned with a crescent-shaped scarlet patch; the rump is white; the
upper tail-covers are yellowish white, the sides of the head and throat
greyish red, and the bridles and a streak upon the lower throat black;
the rest of the under side is white, spotted with black. The quills are
sulphur-yellow, and the tail-feathers bright yellow, with dark tips. The
female is without the black cheek-stripes. The body is twelve inches and
a half long and sixteen broad; the wing measures six inches and the tail
four inches and a half.
This species, which is common in all parts of the United States, where it
is known by the name of the Flicker (that word being supposed to resemble
its cry), has been described at great length by Audubon. "The flight of
these birds," says that graphic writer, "is strong and prolonged; they
propel themselves by numerous beats of the wings, with short intervals
of sailing. Their migrations are carried on at night, as is known by
their note and the whistling of their wings. When passing from one tree
to another on wing, they fly in a straight line until when within a few
yards of the spot where they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise
themselves a few feet and fasten themselves to the bark by their claws and
tail. If they intend to settle on a branch they do not previously rise;
and in either case no sooner has the bird alighted than it nods its head
and utters its well-known note, 'Flicker.' It usually moves sideways on a
small branch, keeping itself erect; and with equal ease it climbs by leaps
along the trunks of trees or their branches, descends and moves sideways
or spirally, keeping at all times its head upward and its tail pressed
against the bark as a support. On the ground it also hops with great
ease. Insects, seeds, berries, and fruit of various kinds constitute the
principal food of these Woodpeckers. No sooner has spring returned than
their voice is heard from the tops of high, decayed trees. Their note at
this period is merriment itself, as it simulates a prolonged and jovial
laugh, heard at a considerable distance. Several males pursue a female,
and, to show the force of their love, bow their heads, spread their tails,
and move sidewise, backwards, forwards, performing such antics as might
induce any one witnessing them to join his laugh to theirs. The female
flies to another tree, where she is closely followed by half a dozen
of these gay suitors, when again the same ceremony is gone through. No
fighting occurs, no jealousy seems to exist among them until a marked
preference is shown for one, when the rest proceed in search of another
female. Each pair proceeds to excavate the trunk of a tree and make a hole
large enough to contain themselves and their young; they both work with
great industry and apparent pleasure. Should the male be employed the
female keeps close to him, and seems to congratulate him on every chip he
throws in the air. They caress each other on the branches, climb about and
around the tree with delight, rattle with their bill against the top of
the dead boughs, chase all their cousins, the Red-heads, defy the Purple
Grakles to enter their nest, feed plentifully on insects, beetles, and
larvæ, cackling at intervals, and ere a week be elapsed the female has
laid four or five eggs, with a pure, white, transparent shell."
Their flesh is esteemed good by many sportsmen, and they are now and then
exposed for sale in the markets of New York and Philadelphia.