IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 



23 



After diverting myself for a minute or two at their expense, I drew 

 my Woodpecker from under the cover and a general laugh took 

 place. I took him up stairs and locked him up in my room, while 

 I went to see my horse taken care of. In less than an hour I re- 

 turned, and on opening the door he set up the same distressing 

 shout, which now appeared to proceed from grief that he had been 

 discovered in his attempts at escape. He had mounted along the 

 side of the window, nearly as high as the cieling, a little below 

 which he had begun to break through. The bed was covered with 

 large pieces of plaster; the lath was exposed for at least fifteen 

 inches square, and a hole, large enough to admit the fist, opened 

 to the weather-boards ; so that in less than another hour he would 

 certainly have succeeded in making his way through. I now tied 

 a string round his leg, and fastening it to the table, again left him. 

 I wished to preserve his life, and had gone off in search of suitable 

 food for him. As I reascended the stairs, I heard him again hard 

 at work, and on entering had the mortification to perceive that he 

 had almost entirely ruined the mahogany table to which he was fast- 

 ened, and on which he had wreaked his whole vengeance. While 

 engaged in taking the drawing, he cut me severely in several places, 

 and on the whole, displayed such a noble and unconquerable spirit 

 that I was frequently tempted to restore him to his native woods. 

 He lived with me nearly three days, but refused all sustenance, and 

 I witnessed his death with regret. 



The head and bill of this bird is in great esteem among the 

 southern Indians, who wear them by way of amulet or charm, as well 

 as ornament; and it is said, dispose of them to the northern tribes 

 at considerable prices. An Indian believes that the head, skin, or 

 even feathers of certain birds confer on the wearer all the virtues 

 or excellencies of those birds. Thus I have seen a coat made of 

 the skins, heads and claws of the raven ; caps stuck round with 

 heads of Butcher-birds, Hawks and Eagles; and as the disposition 

 and courage of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker are well known to the 



