WOODPECKER. 309 



The female is much the same in size and colour, and the head 

 also is crested, but of the same colour with the body ; in both sexes 

 the forehead and sides of the bill at the base are white. 



Inhabits Carolina, Virginia, Brazil, and Mexico ; called by the 

 Spaniards, Carpenter ; and not without reason, for like most others 

 of the Genus, it makes a great noise with the bill against the trees in 

 the woods, to be heard at a great distance, as if carpenters were at 

 work ; producing, according to Catesby, in an hour or two, a bushel 

 of chips ; it is thought by some to perforate sound trees, but we are 

 assured, that it is only those hastening to decay, that suit its pur- 

 pose, the intent of which is to form a cavity, wherein to deposit their 

 eggs. We are told, that this is generally winding, and from two to 

 five feet deep ; the eggs are four or five in number, white, and as 

 large as those of a Pullet, of equal size at both ends. They also 

 attack the trees for the sake of the insects contained within, as well as 

 in the clefts of the bark ; and are very dexterous at separating it from 

 the dead pines, to get at the worms of the goat beetles, the chief food 

 being insects, and their larvae ; are not thought to eat Indian corn. 

 The common note resembles the tone of a trumpet, or high note of 

 a clarionet, uttered every two or three seconds, and may be heard 

 more than half a mile; are found in Georgia, according to Mr. 

 Abbot, and there called Lobcock by some, by others Woodcock ; 

 chiefly seen in the swamps, but far from common. The note is 

 reckoned a sign of rain. It is said, that the Canadian Indians make 

 use of the bills of these birds for coronets, setting them round in a 

 wreath, with the points upwards, and that the Northern Indians 

 purchase them of the Southern, at the rate of two or three buckskins 

 per bill. — Kalm says, they are found at New Jersey, though seldom, 

 and only at certain seasons. — Mr. Abbot never found this species in 

 Virginia. 



VOL. III. B B B 



