IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 

 392. Ccwipephilufl principalis. 20 inches. 



Male with a scarlet crest, female with a black one. 



These are the largest and most rare of the Woodpeck- 

 ers found within our borders. Their decline in numbers 

 is due, to a certain extent, to the killing of them because 

 of their size and beauty, but chiefly on account of cutting 

 off of a great deal of the heavy timber where they nest. 

 They are very powerful birds and often scale the bark 

 off the greater portion of a tree in their search for in- 

 sects and grubs, while they will bore into the heart of a 

 living tree to make their home. 



Note. A shrill two-syllabled shriek or whistle. 



Nest. In holes of large trees in impenetrable swamps. 

 On the chips at the bottom of the cavity, they lay from 

 three to six glossy, pure white eggs ( 1.45 x 1.00) . 



Range. Formerly the South Atlantic States and west 

 to Texas and Indian*Territory, but now confined to a few 

 isolated portions of Florida and, possibly, Indian Terri- 

 tory. 



