LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN 

 WOODPECKERS 



ORDER PICIFORMES 



By Arthur Cleveland Bent 



Tauntoyi, Mass. 



Order PICIFORMES 

 Family PICIDAE: American Woodpeckers 



CAMPEPHILUS PRINCIPALIS (Linnaeus) 

 IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER 



Plates 1, 2 



HABITS 



Contributed by Akthur Augustus Allen 



The LARGE size and striking color pattern, the mystery of its habi- 

 tat, and the tragedy of its possible extinction combine to make the 

 ivory-billed woodpecker one of peculiar interest to all Americans 

 who have any pride in the natural resources of their country. 



Ever since the days of Mark Catesby (1731) this species has at- 

 tracted popular attention, and even at that time, as he stated in his 

 Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: 

 "The bills of these Birds are much valued by the Canada Indians, 

 who made Coronets of 'em for their Princes and great warriors, by 

 fixing them round a Wreath, with their points outward. The North- 

 ern Indians having none of these Birds in their cold country, pur- 

 chase them of the Southern People at the price of two, and some- 

 times three, Buck-skins a Bill." At that time the species was found 

 throughout the Gulf States as far north as North Carolina and up 

 the Mississippi Valley as far as southern Ohio and Illinois. 



Today it is almost extinct, and indeed during the past 50 years 

 long periods have elapsed when no individuals have been reported 

 from any part of its range. It apparently has been exterminated 

 from all but a few isolated localities in Louisiana, Florida, and 

 South Carolina, where it still clings on in a precarious position. 



1 



