THE PILEATED WOODPECKER. 229 



spoken of in this instance, and I consider it as much wilder than the Ivory- 

 billed Woodpecker." 



W r hile in the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, of which I have repeat- 

 edly spoken, I was surprised to see how differently this bird worked on the 

 bark of different trees, when searching for its food. On the hemlock and 

 spruce, for example, of which the bark is difficult to be detached, it used the 

 bill sideways, hitting the bark in an oblique direction, and proceeding in 

 close parallel lines, so that when, after awhile, a piece of the bark was 

 loosened and broken off by a side stroke, the surface of the trunk appeared 

 as if closely grooved by a carpenter using a gouge. In this manner the 

 Pileated Woodpecker often, in that country, strips the entire trunks of the 

 largest trees. On the contrary, when it attacked any other sort of timber, 

 it pelted at the bark in a straightforward manner, detaching a large piece by 

 a few strokes, and leaving the trunks smooth, no injury having been inflicted 

 upon it by the bill. 



This bird, when surprised, is subject to very singular and astonishing fits 

 of terror. While in Louisiana, I have several times crept up to one occupied 

 in searching for food, on the rotten parts of a low stump only a few inches 

 from the ground, when, having got so near the tree as almost to touch it, I 

 have taken my cap and suddenly struck the stump, as if with the intention 

 of securing the bird; on which the latter instantly seemed to lose all power 

 or presence of mind, and fell to the ground as if dead. On such occasions, 

 if not immediately secured, it soon recovers, and flies off with more than its 

 usual speed. When surprised whilst feeding on a tree, they now and then 

 attempt to save themselves by turning round the trunk or branches, and do 

 not fly away unless two persons be present, well knowing, it would seem, 

 that flying is not always a sure means of escape. If wounded without falling, 

 it mounts at once to the highest fork of the tree, where it squats and remains 

 in silence. It is then very difficult to kill it, and sometimes, when shot 

 dead, it clings so firmly to the bark that it may remain hanging for hours. 

 When winged and brought to the ground, it cries loudly on the approach of 

 its enemy, and essays to escape by every means in its power, often inflicting 

 a severe wound if incautiously seized. 



The Pileated Woodpecker is fond of Indian corn, chestnuts, acorns, fruits 

 of every kind, particularly wild grapes, and insects of all descriptions. 

 The maize it attacks while yet in its milky state, laying it bare, like the 

 Redheads or Squirrels. For this reason, it often draws upon itself the 

 vengeance of the farmer, who, however, is always disposed, without provo- 

 cation, to kill the "Woodcock," or "Logcock" as it is commonly named by 

 our country people. 



The flight of this well known bird is powerful, and, on occasion, greatly 



