t cacti, there is nothing unusual in their nesting
habits, and the eggs are not different from those of others of the
genus. They lay from three to six eggs in April or May. Size 1.00 x .75.

412. FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus auratus._

Range.--Southeastern United States.

Flickers are well known, large Woodpeckers (13 inches long), with a
brownish tone to the plumage, barred on the back and spotted on the
breast with black. The present species has a golden yellow lining to the
wings and tail, and the shafts of the feathers are yellow; it has a red
crescent on the nape, and the male has black moustache marks. This
species and its sub-variety are the most widely known Woodpeckers in
eastern North America, where they are known in different localities, by
something like a hundred local names, of which

[Illustration 260: 408--411.]
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Page 259

Pigeon Woodpecker and Yellow-hammer seem to be the most universal. They
have the undulating flight common to all Woodpeckers and show the white
rump patch conspicuously when flying. They are often found on the ground
in pastures or on side hills, feeding upon ants; they are more
terrestrial than any others of the family. They nest anywhere, where
they can find or make a suitable cavity for the reception of their eggs;
in trees in woods or solitary trees in large pastures, in apple trees in
orchards, in fence posts, in holes under the roofs of buildings, etc.
They ordinarily lay from five to ten very glossy eggs, but it has been
found that they will continue laying, if one egg is removed from the
nest at a time, until in one case seventy-one eggs were secured. Fresh
eggs may be found at any time from May until August, as they frequently
raise two broods a season. Size of eggs, 1.10 x .90 with considerable
variations.

412a. NORTHERN FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus luteus._

Range.--Whole of North America, east of the Rockies, except the
southeastern portion.

Averaging larger than the preceding, but individual specimens of the
northern variety are frequently found to be even smaller than the
southern, and vice versa, making the distinction one of the study rather
than Nature.

413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer collaris._

Range.--United States west of the Rockies.

This species is marked similarly to the preceding, but the top of the
head is brownish instead of gray, and the underp