IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKEE. 



392. Campephilus principalis. 20 inches. 



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



This is the largest and most rare of the Woodpeck- 

 ers found within our borders. Their decline in num- 

 bers 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 insects 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 

 (1.45x1.00). 



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 Territory. 



