40 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



through the spring and I have discovered some new varieties for this 

 locality, among them being the European vStarling. He is a handsome 

 bird, a good songster and great worm and insect destroyer, conse- 

 quently of great value to the farmer. He builds his nest in a hole in 

 the trees. With all the pleasure I have had with the summer birds I 

 look forward with greater pleasure to the coming of the bleak North 

 winds and snow and a return of my Winter visitors. — [77/r Newtoicn 

 Bee.'] 



IVORY^BILLED WOODPECKER. 



A. O. U No 393 (Canipephllus principalis.) 



RANGE. 



Florida and the Gulf Coast to Texas north to Indian Territory and, 

 rarely, to the South Atlantic States. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length 20 in. Eyes yellow: bill ivory white. Male glossy blue-black 

 and white, with a long pointed crest of scarlet. Female similar with a 

 crest of black. 



HABITS. 



These are the largest and decidedly the most distinguished appearing 

 of American Woodpeckers. Their glossy black plumage and gorgeous 

 pointed crest impart a regal look which is not attained even by the 

 Pileated Woodpecker. 



Like that of all the members of the Woodpecker family, their flight 

 is apparently laborious and performed with that undulatory motion so 

 noticable in the flight of the Flicker. Unless unduly alarmed they 

 rarely fly for any considerable distance at a time They are very shy 

 and fully realize the folly of getting within range of a two legged 

 animal with a gun. It is this wariness that has preserved them from 

 extermination for so long, as man has been ever wont to kill them on 

 sight just for vain glory. 



They are most apt to be found in burned over pine barrens where 

 insects thrive in the decaying wood and furnish a sumptuous repast for 

 the Ivory-bills. They are usually silent birds but during the nesting 

 season have a sharp trumpeting note fretiuently repeated and also the 

 long rolling drumming sound performed with their bill upon a resonant 

 limb. Careful observers believe that they remain mated for life. 

 During February and March they retire to the depths of impenetrable 

 swamps where they rear their young. Their nesting site is chosen in 

 the top of a tall tree and the two birds take turns boring the excavation 

 in the live wood. Usually it is located under the protection of a pro- 



