AVES — WOODPECKER. 553 



and most useful food is insects, particularly those numerous and destructive 

 species that penetrate the bark and body of the tree, to deposit their eggs and 

 larvae, the latter of which are well known to make immense havoc. In fact, 

 insects form at least two thirds of his subsistence. Kc searches for them 

 with a dexterity and intelligence, I may safely say, more than hun-.an; he 

 perceives by the exterior surface of the bark where they lurk below ; when 

 he is dubious, he rattles vehemently on the outside with his bill, and his 

 acute ear distinguishes the terrified vermin skrinking within to their inmost 

 retreats, v/here his pointed and barbed tongue soon reaches them. The 

 masses of bugs, caterpillars, and other larvae which I have taken from the 

 stomachs of these birds have often surprised me. These larvce, it should be 

 remembered, feed not only on the buds, leaves and blossoms, but on the very 

 vegetable life of the tree, — the newly forming bark and wood; the conse- 

 quence is, that whole branches and trees decay under the silent ravages of 

 these destructive vermin. It must therefore be allowed, that the services of 

 this useful bird more than compensate for his petty thefts on apple and cherry 

 trees. 



These birds build their nests in the body or large limbs of trees, taking in 

 no materials, but smoothing it within to the proper shape and size. The 

 female lays six eggs. Notwithstanding the care which this bird takes to 

 place its young beyond the reach of enemies, yet there is one deadly foe, 

 against whose depredations there is no security. This is the black snake, 

 who frequently glides up the trunk of the tree, and, like a skulking savage, 

 enters the woodpecker's peaceful apartment, devours the eggs or helpless 

 young, in spite of the cries and flutterings of the parents ; and if the place 

 be large enough, coils himself up in the spot they occupied, Avhere he will 

 sometimes remain several days ; and often terrifies the eager schoolboy, 

 who thrusts his arm into the cavity after the callow brood. Several adven- 

 tures of this kind have come to my knowledge. 



This bird is nine inches and a half long ; the head and neck are deep scar- 

 let ; the back, wing-coverts, and tail, black; the lovv'er part of the back, and 

 whole under parts are white. 



THE IVORY -BILLED WOODPECKER.i 



In strength and magnitude, stands at the head of the whole class of v/ood- 

 peckers hitherto discovered. He may be called the king or chief of his tribe ; 

 and nature seems to have designed him a distinguished characteristic, in the 

 superb carmine crest and bill of polished ivory with which she has orna- 

 mented him. His eye is brilliant and daruig, and his whole frame admira- 

 bly adapted for his mode of life. His manners have also a dignity in them 



' Picus principalis, Lin. 



70 47 



