StiS Repokt of State Geologist. 



bill. dark. AdvU Female. — Similar, but with foro part of lu>;i(l black- 

 ish, and red stripe at base of lower mandible wanting. 



Length, 15.15-19.00: wing, 8.90-10.00; tail, 6.60-7.40. 



Range. — Formerly the heaA'ily-wooded region of North America, 

 south of about latitude 63 degrees, and j\Iexico. except in the southern 

 Rocky Mountains; now rare or extirpated in the more thickly settled 

 parts of the Eastern States. 



Nesf. excavation in tree. Eggs, 3-5; glossy white; 1.28 by .95. 



Resident, contined to the more heavily-timbered and more inacces- 

 sible portions of the State. Rarely breeds. It was formerly very com- 

 mon, but disappears before civilization. To the older settlers it was 

 known as "Ixigcock," and "Black Woodcock." It is about thirty 

 yeiirs since I can hear of its occurrence in Franklin County. In 1890 

 I reported it from several coimties in which it had been noted, or 

 taken mostly within five years preceding (Proc. Ind. Hort. Soc, 1890. 

 p. 59). From the following, I have no more recent record: ^'igo, 

 Dekalb, Decatur, Allen, and (ribson. Since that time it is reported 

 from the following counties: Boone and Fountain: specimens in col- 

 lection of tlie State Museum: Knox, rare, 1894, Febniary 4, May 24, 

 October 19, one: spring of 1897, two. T saw one fly through the 

 main street of Carlisle, Ind., August 14. 1897 (Chansler). Brown. 

 1894, rare (Kindle), May 24, one (BaxnettV. 1895, April 6, two; April 

 15, April 16, very few (Miss Jacobs). ^Monroe. 1892. February 13, 

 saw two, took female (Ulrey); Porter, 1894. December 5. saw a male 

 killed by George Wilcox, at Kouts: 1896. December 11. I saw three 

 near same town (J. G. Parker, Jr.). 



Mr. C. E. Aiken also informed me he obtained a speeiinou at Water 

 Valley, Lalce County, where it was raxe, a few years ago. I have no 

 doubt of it* occun-ence in limited numbers still in Gibson and. per- 

 haps, several other counties in southwestern IndiaJta. In fact, it ntay 

 exist wherever there are extensive woods that are not much frequented. 

 They are more liable to be seen in winter, as the leaiiess woods and 

 their tendency to range to some extent for food then makes them 

 more conspicuous. Mr. 11. "NTehrling gives an account of these birds, 

 wliich every one who has known them in our State will recognize as 

 his own experience. He says: "The Pileated Woodpeckers were con- 

 stantly at work: ^Wth powerful ■strokes they hammered otT the bark 

 and captured their insect prey. Their beauty, activity and docility 

 excited my admiration. Wlien I approached one of them too closely, 

 it uttered a loud and laughing ha-he, ha-he. and then took wing. It is 

 very noisy during mating season, and indulges a good deal of its time 

 in drummimr on a drv. hollow limb. Its call-note sounds like, a-iricl'. 



