iS9i-] Hasbrouck on the Ivory-billed Woodpechcr. ^77 



received from an apparently respectable source of the occurrence 

 of this species whose appearance was described with tolerable 

 exactness, but the statement is given for what it may be worth, no 

 specimen having been seen." In preparing the ma|), therefore, 

 it has been deemed best to include Fort Macon within the area of 

 distribution, which, almost to an absolute certainty, marks the 

 northern range in the east. 



The records of Audubon and Wilson are in the thirties, and 

 from that time on various accounts of the relative abundance of 

 Catnpcphllus throughout its habitat have been published ; the 

 majority relating to its occurrence in the Gulf States, where its 

 true home may be said to lie; but it has been the aim in this 

 paper to show the most northern records and those relating to its 

 general distribution for the past ten years. To find the former 

 range was a comparatively easy task, as it was necessary only to 

 search the literature, while to determine its present status, not 

 only were published records consulted, but many letters were 

 sent to competent persons in the Southern States and the Missis- 

 sippi Valley requesting such information as could be given in 

 regard to it. In using the material collectetl, many allowances 

 had to be made, — some replies were vague, almost worthless, 

 while others assisted materially in preparing the present paper, 

 but to all who so courteously responded I wish to express my 

 warmest thanks and appreciation, and especially am I indebted 

 to my friend, Mr. Robert Ridgway, for the courtesy shown in 

 many ways. In arranging the dates, the dividing line has been 

 placed at iSSo, all records prior to that being considered as com- 

 ing undfer former distribution, and all within the past decade as 

 showing the present distribution. 



On the map all that area bounded by the heavy black line rep- 

 resents the region as a whole in which the Ivory-bill has been 

 observed, the part in shade represents an attempt to outline the 

 present distribution, based on the records for the last ten years 

 and the information received from various sources, while the sin- 

 gle isolated spots in black show the localities of comparatively 

 recent capture. A careful examination of recent records shows 

 that Caiiipep/nlus principalis is now confined to the low swamp 

 country along the coast. This area, for the most part below one 

 hundred feet in elevation, is characterized by dense forests of bald 

 cypvess (7 axodium disticlmm) in strong contrast to the pine 

 barrens of the uplands. It will be convenient, therefore, to con- 



