IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 443 



is in quest of these enemies of the most imposing part of the 

 vegetable creation that the industrious and indefatigable Wood- 

 pecker exercises his pecuhar labor. In the sound and healthy 

 tree he finds nothing which serves him for food. 



One of these birds, which Wilson wounded, survived with 

 him nearly three days, but was so savage and unconquerable as 

 to refuse all sustenance. When taken, he reiterated a loud and 

 piteous complaint, almost exactly like the violent crying of a 

 young child ; and on being left alone in a tavern, in the course 

 of an hour he had nearly succeeded in making his way through 

 the side of the wooden house. He also cut the author severely 

 in several places while engaged in drawing his portrait, and 

 displayed, as long as he survived, the unconquerable spirit of a 

 genuine son of the forest. From his magnanimous courage 

 and ardent love of liberty, the head and bill are in high esteem 

 among the amulets of the Southern Indians. 



The nest of this species is usually made in the living trunk 

 of the cypress-tree at a considerable height, both sexes alter- 

 nately engaging in the labor. The excavation is said to be 

 two or more feet in depth. The young are fledged and abroad 

 about the middle of June. It is usually known by the name of 

 '^ Large Log-cock." This species appears to live almost wholly 

 upon insects, and chiefly those that bore into the wood, which 

 never fail in the country he inhabits ; nor is he ever known 

 to taste of Indian corn or any sort of grain or orchard 

 fruits, though he has a fondness for grapes and other kinds of 

 berries. 



This species is now restricted to the Gulf States and lower 

 Mississippi valley. 



