212 



Genus I.— PICUS, Linn. WOODPECKER. 



Character as above. 



* Bill straight, with the angles prominent. 



IMPERIAL WOODPECKER. 



4PlCUS IMPERIALIS, Gould. 



(Not figured.) 



The following note, which I have received from Mr. Townsend, refers 

 to this splendid Woodpecker. "On the 14th of August, 1S34, I saw several 

 specimens of a large black Woodpecker, about the size of Picus principalis. 

 A broad band of white appeared to extend transversely across the wings and 

 back. It inhabited the tall pine trees, and was very shy. The note was 

 almost exactly that of the Red-headed Woodpecker, so much so that at first 

 Mr. Nuttall and myself were both deceived by it. I lingered behind the 

 party, which at that time was travelling rapidly, and at last got a shot at one 

 of them with slugs, my large shot having been entirely expended. The 

 bird fell wounded into a thicket at a considerable distance. I searched for 

 an hour, without finding it, and was at last compelled to relinquish it and 

 follow the party, which had been leaving me at a rapid trot, to find my way 

 as I best could, and keep out of the reach of Indians, who were dogging us 

 continually. Who can describe the chagrin and positive misery of a poor 

 fellow in my then situation! 



"The only account of this species that I have met with is the following, 

 extracted from the "Proceedings of the Committee of Science and Corre- 

 spondence of the Zoological Society of London," Part II. 1S32, p. 140. — 

 "Specimens were exhibited of a species of Woodpecker, hitherto undescribed, 

 which has recently been obtained by Mr. Gould from that little explored 



