IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 165 



through the streets, its affecting cries surprised every one within hearing, 

 particularly the females, who hurried to the doors and windows, with 

 looks of alai-m and anxiety. I drove on, and on arriving at the piazza 

 of the hotel, where I intended to put up, the landlord came forward, 

 and a number of other persons who happened to be there, all equally 

 alarmed at what they heard ; this was greatly increased by my asking 

 whether he could furnish me with accommodations for myself and my 

 baby. The man looked blank, and foolish, while the others stared with 

 still greater astonishment. After diverting myself for a minute or two 

 at their expense, I drew my Woodpecker from under the cover, and a 

 general laugh took place. I took him up stairs, and locked him up in 

 my room, while I went to see my horse taken care of. In less than an 

 hour I returned, and on opening the door he set up the same distressing 

 shout, which now appeared to proceed from the grief that he had been 

 discovered in his attempts at escape. He had mounted along the side 

 of the window, nearly as high as the ceiling, a little below which he had 

 begun to break through. The bed was covered with large pieces of 

 plaster ; the lath was exposed for at least fifteen inches square, and a 

 hole, large enough to admit the fist, opened to the weather-boards ; so 

 that in less than another hour he would certainly have succeeded in 

 making his way through. I now tied a string round his leg, and fasten- 

 ing it to the table, again left him. I wished to preserve his life, and 

 had gone off in search of suitable food for him. As I reascended the 

 stairs, I heard him again hard at work, and on entering had the morti- 

 fication to perceive that he had almost entirely ruined the mahogany 

 table to which he was fastened, and on which he had wreaked his whole 

 vengeance. While engaged in taking the drawing, he cut me severely 

 in several places, and on the whole, displayed such a noble and uncon- 

 querable spirit, that I was frequently tempted to restore him to his 

 native woods. He lived with me nearly three days, but refused all 

 sustenance, and I witnessed his death with regret. 



The head and bill of this bird is in great esteem among the southern 

 Indians, who wear them by way of amulet or charm, as well as orna- 

 ment ; and, it is said, dispose of them to the northern tribes at consider- 

 able prices. An Indian believes that the head, skin, or even feathers 

 of certain birds, confer on the wearer all the vii-tues or excellencies of 

 those birds. Thus I have seen a coat made of the skins, heads and 

 claws of the Raven ; caps stuck round with heads of Butcher-birds, 

 Hawks and Eagles ; and as the disposition and courage of the Ivory- 

 billed Woodpecker are well known to the savages, no wonder they should 

 attach great value to it, having both beauty, and, in their estimation, 

 distinguished merit to recommend it. 



This bird is not migratory, but resident in the countries where it in- 

 habits. In the low counties of the Carolinas, it usually prefers the large- 



