324 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



destroj'ed these, in which case I have known them hurriedly to 

 make an excavation in a neighboring stump. 



(d). Their ordinar}- note is a chink or chicl', which they most 

 often utter on alighting on some tree or fence. Occasionally 

 they repeat this rapidly (as chick-a-chicJc-chicl^-chick-chicJc). 

 These notes, unless uttered in anger, seem indicative of the 

 little woodpecker's contented disposition and constant happi- 

 ness. 



VI. HYLOTOMUS 



(A) piLEATUS. Fileated Woodpecker. Black " Log-cock." 

 " Wood-cock." 



(In New England, almost entirely' confined to the " timbered" 

 districts of the North.) 



(a). About eighteen inches long. Nearly black; a slight 

 superciliary line, a broad stripe from the bill to the sides, wing- 

 patch, etc., white. Crest, scarlet; in 9 , black in front. ^, 

 with a scarlet cheek-patch. 



(5). "The eggs, which are six in number, average 1'25 X 

 1-00 of an inch, or more." See I, A, b. 



(c). The Fileated Woodpeckers are in New England the 

 largest, most spirited, and wildest of their tribe, but to the 

 southward they yield to the larger " Ivory-bill," and in Central 

 America to the magnificent Cam2JephUus imperialis. They live 

 exclusi\ely ill heavily timbered countrj^ where they frequent 

 the forests undisturbed by man, and the backwoods. There, 

 solitarily or in pairs, they remain throughout the year, unless 

 tempted by grain to wander to the fields. They are said to 

 withstand alike the cold of Labrador and the heat of Florida, 

 but in southern New England they are no longer found, though 

 not rare in some parts of the White Mountains, and in like lati- 

 tudes. They are rather sh}', but they may sometimes be seen 

 dexterously stripping off in large sheets the bark of decayed 

 trees and logs, in order to lay bare the remains beneath. " If 

 wounded on a tree, thej- cling desperately ; if shot wliile flying, 

 they defend themselves with courage, often inflicting severe 

 wounds with their powerful bills." They fly in undulations, 



