Crown brown and throat gray, these colors being just reversed from those of the common [Flicker].
The male is distinguished by a red moustache mark, which the female lacks. The typical male Red-shafted Flicker lacks the red crescent on the back of the head, but it is often present on individuals, as there are numerous hybrids between this species and the preceding. Flickers are more terrestrial in their habits than are any others of the family; their food consists largely of ants which they get from the ground.
Note.—Same as those of the last; both species often utter a purring whistle when they are startled from the ground.
Nest.—The nesting habits are identical with those of the last and the eggs cannot be distinguished.
Range.—From the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW
416. Antrostomus carolinensis. 12 inches
Male with the end half of the outer tail feathers white, and the edge of the outer vanes rusty; female with no white ends to the feathers. Birds of this family have small bills, but extremely large mouths adapted to catching night-flying moths and other insects. They remain sleeping during the day, either perched lengthwise on a limb or concealed beside a stump or rock on the ground, their colors harmonizing with the surroundings in either case. They fly, of their own accord, only at dusk or in the early morning. This species, which is much the largest of our Goatsuckers, is known to, at times, devour small birds, as such have been found in their stomachs.
Note.—A loudly whistled and repeated “chuck-will’s-widow.”