70 PICID^ : WOODPECKERS. 



the nature of the case as stated, the Pileated Woodpecker 

 is more numerous in northern than in southern New- 

 England, not in the least as a matter of geographical 

 distribution, but simply because the heavy-timbered, 

 swampy backwoods are best suited to its nature. Wher- 

 ever the bird makes its abode, its presence is likely to 

 be indicated by the noise of its hammering, audible at 

 much greater distances than the tapping of the weaker 

 Woodpeckers can be heard. It is also capable of much 



more extensive 

 operations in 

 denuding trees 

 of their bark, 

 often laying 

 them bare in 

 great areas. In 



Fig. 9. — Foot of Pileated Woodpecker. thlCkly WOOCleCl 



swamp land, it may sometimes be seen working upon 

 fallen logs; but it generally keeps high up among 

 the tree-tops, especially such as are blasted by lightning 

 or began their natural decay by " dying at the head." 

 From such elevated posts of observation it surveys a 

 wide ground ; watchful of every suspicious movement, 

 and wary to the last degree, it makes off at the first 

 alarm, and easily escapes pursuit. 



The eggs of all the Woodpeckers are of a crystalline 

 texture, rounded form, and pure white color. They can- 

 not be distinguished from each other, not even by size. 

 For instance, the egg of the Pileated is remarkably small 

 in comparison with the linear dimensions of the bird ; 

 showing that the result depends largely upon the con- 

 figuration of the parent. The eggs average about 1.25 X 

 1. 00, being thus not greatly larger than Flicker eggs. 



