WOODPECKERS 



(392) Campephilus principalis 



(Linn.) (Gr., catcr])illar, loving; Lat., 

 principal, referring to its large size). 



IVORY-BILLED WOOD- 

 PECKER. Largest of our wood- 

 peckers. Bill ivory-white. A large 

 crest. Plumage as shown, glossy 

 blue-black; nasal feathers, a stripe 

 down the neck, scapulars, ends of 

 secondaries and inner primaries, 

 and under wing coverts white, cf 

 with a bright scarlet crest as shown 

 by the upper bird. 9 with a black 

 crest as shown by the lower figure. 

 L., 20.00; Ex., 32.00; W., 10.25; 

 T., 7.50; Tar., 2.00; B., 2.50. Eggs 

 — Three to six, glossy white, 1.45 x 

 1. 00; in cavities of tall trees in most 

 inaccessible swamps. 



Range — Rare in Fla. and very 

 rare in other Gulf States. Formerly 

 north to N. Car. and 111. 



when first hatched, are wholly naked, blind and helpless; 

 they remain in the nest between two and three weeks, 

 passing through a comical pin-feathery stage of plumage to 

 one just like that of their parents. They have to be fed for 

 several days after being able to fly before they have attained 

 the skill necessary to fish successfully for themselves. 



Order PIC I. Woodpeckers 

 Family PICIDJS. Woodpeckers 



A large family of birds having, usually, chisel-like bills 

 capable of boring into wood; stiffened pointed tail feathers 

 to assist them in clinging to the sides of trees; and strong 

 toes, usually two carried in front and two behind, armed 

 with strongly curved claws to firmly grasp bark. Their 

 eggs are always pure white, glossy and usually numerous; 

 always normally laid in cavities of trees. 



IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKERS are our largest, as 

 well as the rarest, members of this interesting family. Their 



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