Log-Cock or Pileated Woodpecker 15 



enemy. On being approached she directs them to the nearest 

 cover, generally a patch of reeds, and as soon as it is reached 

 they all disappear except the parent. A careful watch kept 

 on the edge of the patch will usually reveal her swimming 

 slowly back and forth with only the eyes and bill above 

 water. It is almost impossible to tind the young once they 

 have entered the weeds, as they are adept at hiding and 

 remaining motionless. 



In August after the young are feathered out and almost 

 fully grown, the grebes in one swamp or pond sometimes 

 assemble in one flock and feed together. The largest number 

 I ever noted was on August 19, 1913, in the same swamp in 

 which the notes of June 26 were made. This flock numbered, 

 as near as could be counted, two hundred. I watched them 

 for some time and saw them eating numbers of the small 

 frogs which swarmed about the water's edge and on the mud 

 flats. Occasionally two would seize the same frog and attempt 

 to swallow it. This would cause a tug of war, in which several 

 others sometimes joined, and often neither of the original 

 contestants finally secured the prize. 



Marshalltown, Iowa. 



THE ROLL OF THE LOG-COCK OR PILEATED WOOD- 

 PECKER. 



BY ERXEST \V. VICKERS. 



For several years I enjoyed the rolling call of a Pileated 

 Woodpecker, which from the peculiar resonance of sounding- 

 board carried to an almost incredible distance. The scene 

 was located a mile and a quarter from my home, and impossi- 

 ble as it may appear I have heard the roll when in the house 

 with doors and windows closed; this of course when atmos- 

 pheric conditions were favorable. Out of doors the sound 

 doubtless carried two miles. 



This sounding-board of the Log-cock was the big hollow 

 arm of a great tulip-tree or white-wood {Liriodendron tulipi- 



