326 TIFE FEATireRF.n TRIBES. 



ready to pay a quarter of a dollar for two or three heads of this ■\voodpetl<cr. I have 

 seen entire belts of Indian chiefs closely ornamented with the tufts and bills of 

 this species, and have observed that a great value is frequently put upon them. 

 The food of this species consists principally of beetles, larvae, and large grubs. No 

 sooner, however, are the grapes of our forests rijje, than they are eaten by 

 the ivory- billed woodpecker with the greatest avidity. I have seen this bird 

 hang by its claws to the vines, in the position so often assumed by a titmouse, and 

 reaching downwards, help itself to a bunch of grapes with much apparent pleasure. 

 Persimons are also sought for bj^ them, as soon as the fruit becomes quite mellow, as are 

 hay-berries. The ivory-bill is never seen attacking the corn or the fruit of the orchards, 

 although it is sometimes observed working upon and chipjjing off the bark from the 

 bolted trees of the newly-cleared plantations. It seldom comes near the ground, but 

 prefers at all times the tops of the tallest trees. Shoidd it, however, discover the half- 

 standing broken shaft of a large dead and rotten tree, it attacks it in such a manner as 

 nearly to demolish it iii the course of a few daj's. I have seen the remains of some of 

 these ancient monarchs of our forest so excavated, and that so singularly, that the 

 tottering fragments of the front appeared to be merely supported by the great pile of 

 chips by which its base was surrounded. The strength of this woodpecker is such, that 

 I have seen it detach pieces of bark seven or eight inches in length at a single blow of its 

 powerful bill, and by beginning at the toj) branch of a dead tree, tear off the bark to an 

 extent of twenty or thirty feet in the course of a few hours, leaping do^vnwards with its 

 body in an upward i:)osition, tossing its head to the right and left, or leaning it against 

 the bark to ascertain the jDrecise spot where the grubs were concealed, and immediately 

 after renewing its blows with fresh vigour, all the while sounding its loud notes as if 

 highly delighted. 



" When wounded and brought to the ground, the ivory-bill immediately makes for the 

 nearest tree, and ascends it with great rapidity and perseverance, until it reaches the top 

 branches, when it squats and hides, generally with great cfi'ect. Whilst ascending, it 

 moves spirally round the tree, utters its loud ^ja/f", paif, jxiif, at almost every hop, but 

 becomes silent the moment it reaches a place where it conceives itself secure. They 

 sometimes cling to the bark with their claws so ilrmly, as to remain cramped to the spot for 

 several hours after death. When taken by the hand, which is rather a hazardous under- 

 taking, they strike with great violence, and inflict very severe wounds with their bill, as 

 well as claws, which are extreme^ sharji and strong. On such occasions this bird utters 

 a mournful and verj- piteous cry." 



Nuttall states that this bird is a constant resident in the countries where it is foimd, in 

 the warmer regions breeding in the rainy season, and that the pair arc believed to bo 

 united for life. " More vagrant," says Nuttall in continuation, " and independent than 

 the rest of liis family, he is never found in the precincts of culti\atcd tracts; the scene of 

 his dominion is the lonely forest, amidst trees of the greatest magnitude. His reiterated 

 trumpeting note, sonicwliat similar to the high tones of the clarionet (pnif, paif, 

 part, pm't), is hoard soon after daj^ and until a late morning liour, echoing loudly 

 from the recesses of the dark cypress swamps, where ho dwells in domestic sccurilv, 

 without showing any impcrfinent or unneccssarj'^ desire to quit his native solitary abodes. 

 Upon the giant trunk and moss-grown arms of this colossus of the forest, and amidst 

 inaccessible and ahnost ruinous piles of mouldering logs, tlie high, rattling clarion, nnd 

 repeated strokes of this princely woodpecker are often the only sounds whicji \ibrate 

 tlirough, and communicate an air of life to, these dismal wilds. His stridiildus inter- 

 rupted call, and loud industrious blows may often be heard for more than lialf a mile, 

 and become audible at various distances, as the elevated mechanic raises or depresses his 

 voice, or as he flags or exerts himself at his laborious employment. Ills ictiring habits. 



