85
1897.
May 28
(No 3)
Lake Umbagog.
Outlet
until finally he quite disappeared but a few seconds
later he thrust out his head having indirectly turned
within the nest almost as soon as he reached it.
After looking down at us a moment with evident
uneasiness he came out and flew first to the small
fir and soon afterwards to a tall stub 100 yards away
where he cackled several times. Then he started
for the distant green woods crossing the intervening
region of flooded stubs on a level plane flapping
heavily & continuously like a Crow. On reaching the
ridge near Moll's Rock he began drumming making
a long even roll exactly like a Flicker's or a Downy
Woodpecker's only many times louder. It was so loud
indeed that although the bird was now nearly a quarter
of a mile off the sound reached us with startling sharpness
and intensity rousing the echoes, too, in all directions.
I have no doubt that it could have been easily heard
a mile away & probably even further. The bird continued
drumming as well as, occasionally, cackling (or shouting) 
in one place for ten or fifteen minutes. Then he crossed
to Leonard's Pond and drummed & cackled there for an
equal length of time. We all thought that he was trying 
to call his mate to inform her of the danger that
threatened the nest but if so he failed for presently
he approached above. Our boats were now partially hidden
behind some brush thirty yards or more from the
nest. The Log-cock either did not observe or did not
fear us at that distance for he entered the nest this
time without hesitation or delay. After waiting a few
minutes to see if he would reappear we rowed off leaving
him in the hole.
[margin]Nest of
Pileated 
Woodpecker[/margin]