I think I would have to agree with John's assessment of this bird. Seems
that the overwhelming evidence in the books bears out that a 'Yellowhammer'
is a our beloved Y.S. Northern Flicker.

So then, how to explain the colorful description "... a bird with brilliant
yellow and blue feathers...." First, the yellow feathers are described as
brilliant, thats for certain. The blue feathers may also benefit from that
description, however, we cannot be certain of this. We must also take into
account how we all see colors so differently (did Sheriff Angus have
trouble seeing certain colors?), and the author's creative license.

As an artist, I find it interesting how a dull (insert color of choice)
bird at a distance, suddenly takes on a whole new visual feast when viewed
in the hand. You don't need to be an artist to appreciate this. What may
have looked just like brownish feathers suddenly becomes an incredible and
intricate (and yes, stunning or even brilliant) pattern or color. Possibly
an unusual circumstance of light caused the unusual coloration. A nearby
object could certainly have affected the color of the dead bird (was the
Sheriff wearing a bright blue shirt that day?) and such influence, if it
were present, most likely was not taken into account.

Many of the nature writings of that period were penned with rather colorful
words. Take for example W.H. Gibson's books and J. Burrough's works. Our
'mystery' Yellowhammer's description could have been influenced by this.

Remember the day you first really SAW a certain bird? Maybe that is what
we are reading here. We could be learning about how Sheriff Angus suddenly
opened his eyes to the world of birds for the first time. His description
may mirror that excitement. Personally, I'll never forget my first Scarlet
Tanager - there has never been one, in my experience, as brilliant red as
that first bird.

True, we will never know for sure - but it is fun to contemplate.

Andy Sorensen
Anchorage, Alaska
ajstudio at ptialaska.net

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Life is a curious thing.
--- Wayne Kirkpatrick
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