IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
165 
through the streets, its affecting cries surprised every one within hearing, 
particularly the females, "vvho hurried to the doors and windows, with 
looks of alarm and anxiety. I drove on, and on arriving at the piazza 
of the hotel, where I intended to put up, the landlord came forward, 
and a number of other persons who happened to be there, all equally 
alarmed at what they heard ; this was greatly increased by my asking 
whether he could furnish me with accommodations for myself and my 
baby. The man looked blank, and foolish, while the others stared with 
still greater astonishment. 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 returned, and on opening the door he set up the same distressing 
shout, which now appeared to proceed from the 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 ceiling, 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-boafds ; 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 fasten- 
ing 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 morti- 
fication to perceive that he had almost entirely ruined the mahogany 
table to which he was fastened, 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 uncon- 
querable 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 orna- 
ment ; and, it is said, dispose of them to the northern tribes at consider- 
able 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 savages, no wonder they should 
attach great value to it, having both beauty, and, in their estimation, 
distinguished merit to recommend it. 
This bird is not migratory, but resident in the countries where it in- 
habits. In the low counties of the Carolinas, it usually prefers the large- 
