The persistence of cutaneous lesions of avian pox virus infection in a yellow-shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus) over a period of 13 months is described. Extensive transmission experiments revealed strict host specificity for the. flicker virus. Flicker-to-flicker transmission was achieved, both by inoculation and by cage contact. All attempts to isolate the virus were unsuccessful. The diagnosis of pox virus infection was confirmed by electronmicroscopy.