372 THE WOODPECKER. 



some effectual preventive, or more jcomplete mode of destruc- 

 tion, can be devised against these insects and their larvae, I 

 would humbly suggest the propriety of protecting, and receiv- 

 ing with proper feelings of gratitude, the services of this and 

 the whole tribe of Woodpeckers, letting the odium of guilt fall 

 to its proper owners. 



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 ornament ; and, it is said, dispose of them 

 to the northern tribes at considerable prices. An Indian be- 

 lieves that the head, skin, or even feathers of certain birds, 

 confer on the wearer all the virtues or excellences 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 re- 

 commend it. 



This bird is not migratory, but resident in the countries 

 where it inhabits. In the low counties of the Carolinas, it 

 usually prefers the large-timbered cypress swamps for breed- 

 ing in. In the trunk of one of these trees, at a considerable 

 height, the male and female alternately, and in conjunction, 

 dig out a large and capacious cavity for their eggs and young. 

 Trees thus dug out have frequently been cut down, with 

 sometimes the eggs and young in them. This hole, according 

 to information, for I have never seen one myself, is generally 

 a little winding, the better to keep out the weather, and from 

 two to five feet deep. The eggs are said to be generally four, 

 sometimes five, as large as a pullet's, pure white, and equally 

 thick at both ends ; a description that, except in sjze, very 

 nearly agrees with all the rest of our Woodpeckers. The 

 young begin to be seen abroad about the middle of June. 

 Whether they breed more than once in the same season is 

 uncertain. 



The food of this bird consists entirely of insects and their 





