( 12 ) 



RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 



Pic us querulus, Wils. 



PLATE CCCLXXXIX. Male and Female. 



This species, whicli was first described by Wilson, is found abun- 

 dantly from Texas to New Jersey, and inland as far as Tennessee. 

 Pine-barrens suit it best, and it is nowhere more numerous than in those 

 of the Floridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, where, at any time of 

 the year, one is sure to be saluted by its peculiar note, or to see it busily 

 and cheerfully engaged in searching for food, or flitting from one tree 

 to another. 



In quickness of motion it approaches more to the Common Three- 

 toed Wookpecker, than any other with which I am acquainted. It 

 glides upwards and sidewise along the trimks and branches, on the 

 lower as well as the upper side of the latter, moving with astonishing 

 alertness, and at every motion emitting a short shrill and clear note, 

 which can be heard at a considerable distance. While on wing it also 

 emits this note at the commencement of each curve of its undulated 

 flight. Often when alighted it issues a tremulous note, which is also 

 short, sharp, and shrill, and during the love season its cries resound 

 through the pine-woods. Near Bayou Sara in Louisiana, I once 

 slightly wounded two males, which I put into my hat in order to carry 

 them home. The first, on being brought to the groimd, was easily se- 

 cured, but the case was difi*erent with the other, for it at once hopped 

 off" toward the nearest tree, crying loudly all the whUe, and on reach- 

 ing it ascended as if unhurt. However I obtained it by accidentally 

 knocking off" the bark with a clod of earth. It defended itself courage- 

 ously, and pecked at my fingers with so much vigovir that I was ob- 

 liged to let it drop several times out of my hand. Confined in my hat, 

 they remained still and sullen, and when I looked at them they both hid 

 their heads, as if ashamed of their situation. Whenever I chanced to 

 fire my gun, it alarmed them, and they uttered a plaintive cry, dif- 

 fering from their usual note while at liberty. One of them died before 

 I reached the house, probably through the great heat ; the other how- 

 ever was well, and I put it into a cage, every part of which it examined. 



