558 A CAPTIVE AVOODPECKEE. 



the deeper does it make its hole. The average diameter of the different nests which 

 I liave examined was about seven inches within, altliough the entrance, which is perfectly 

 round, is only just large enough to admit the bird. 



Loth birds work most assiduously at this excavation, one waiting outside to encourage 

 the other whilst it is engaged iu digging, and when the latter is fatigued, taking its place. 

 I have approached trees wliilst these Woodpeckers were thus busily employed in forming 

 their nest, and by resting my head against the bark could easily distinguish every blow 

 given by the bird. I observed that in two instances, when the Woodpeckers saw me thus 

 at the foot of the tree in which they were digging their nest, they abandoned it for ever. 

 For the first brood there are generally six eggs. They are deposited in a few chips at tlie 

 bottom of the hole, and are of a jsure white colour. The young are seen creeping out of 

 the hole about a fortnight before they venture to fly to any other tree. The second brood 

 makes its appearance about the 1.5th of August." 



The courage and determination of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker is very great, and it 

 will fight with its opponent in a most desperate manner. When wounded, it endeavours 

 to reach the nearest tree, and to run up its trunk, and if intercepted will peck as fiercely 

 at the hand of its pursuer as at the wood and bark, and is alale to inflict severe injury with 

 its sharp powerful bill. On account of this bold and fiery disposition, the American 

 Indians pay much honour to the bird, and are in the habit of carrying its head and bill 

 among the numerous charms or "medicines" in which they delight, and which are 

 supposed to transmit to the wearer the good qualities of the slain creature. 



The voice of this Woodpecker is seldom uttered while the bird is on the wing, but is 

 frequently heard as soon as the bird has alighted. It is a rather shrill and very loud 

 tone, and can be heard at a great distance. 



The cry of the wounded l)ird is, according to Wilson, just like that of a hurt child. 

 " The first place I observed this bird at, when on my way to the south, was about twelve 

 miles north of Wilmington, iu North Carolina. Having wounded it slightly iu the wing, 

 on being caught, it uttered a loudly reiterated and most piteous note, exactly resembling 

 the violent crying of a young child, which terrified my horse so, as nearly to have 

 cost me my life. 



It was distressing to hear it. I carried it Avith me in the chair, under cover, to 

 Wilmington. In passing through the streets, its affecting cries surprised every one within 

 hearing, particularly the females, who hurried to the doors and windows with looks of 

 alarm 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 greatl}' increased 

 by my asking, whether he could furnish me with accommodations for myself and my baby. 

 The man looked blank and foolisli, while the others stared with still greater astonishment. 

 After diverting myself for a minute or two at their expense, I drew my Woodpecker frimi 

 under the cover, and a general laugh took place. I took him upstairs, and locked him 

 wp 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 grief that ho had lieen discovered 

 in his efforts 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 

 anotlier hour he would certainly have succeeded in making his way through. I now tied 

 a string round his leg, and fastening it to the table, again left him. I wished to preserve 

 liis life, and had gone off in search of suitable food for him. As I reascended the .stairs, 

 I lieard him again hard at work, and on cntcu-ing had the mortification to perceive that he 

 had almost entirely ruined the mahogany table to which he was fastened, and on whicli 

 he had wreaked his whole vengeance. While engaged in taking a drawing, he cut me 

 severely in several places, and on the whole displayed such a noble and unconquerable 

 spirit, that I was frequently tempted to restore him to his native woods, lie lived with 

 me nearly three days, but refused all sustenance, and 1 vvitnessed his death with regret." 



