_Colaptes auratus luteus. Case 2, Figs. 21, 22; Case 3, Fig. 20_
The white rump and yellow wing-linings, displayed
in flight; black breast-crescent, spotted
underparts and fairly large size, readily
distinguish this beautiful bird. The female very
properly lacks the male's 'moustache.' L. 12.
_Range._ Eastern North America, from North
Carolina and southern Illinois to Canada and
Alaska. The Southern Flicker (_C. a. auratus_) a
smaller, darker race, inhabits the South Atlantic
and Gulf States.
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.
Thirty years ago the Flicker, High-hole or Yellow-hammer, was prey of
any boy with a gun and was correspondingly wild and little known; now,
thanks to the Audubon Society, he is almost as domestic as the Robin. In
search of ants and their eggs, he hunts our lawns and even accepts the
hospitality of our nest-logs. A great acquisition to our dooryard life
is this bird of beautiful colors, quaint habits, and strange notes. His
loud, strongly accented call, _kée-yer_, his rapidly repeated mellow
_weéchew, weéchew_, possess character even if they lack musical quality.
The Flicker nests in holes and lays from 5-9 white eggs in late April or
early May.