PILEATED WOODPECKER. 
44S 
Hutchins met with him in the interior of Hudson Bay, near 
Albany River, in the month of January. It is, however, suf- 
ficiently singular, and shows perhaps the wild timidity of this 
northern chief of his tribe, that though an inhabitant towards 
the savage and desolate sources of the Mississippi, he is un- 
known at this time in all the maritime parts of the populous 
and long-settled State of Massachusetts. In the western parts 
of the State of New York he is sufficiently common in the 
uncleared forests, which have been the perpetual residence of 
his remotest ancestry. From the tall trees which cast their 
giant arms over all the uncleared river lands, may often be 
heard his loud, echoing, and incessant cackle as he flies 
restlessly from tree to tree, presaging the approach of rainy 
weather. These notes resemble ekerck rek rek rek rek rek rek 
uttered in a loud cadence which gradually rises and falls. The 
marks of his industry are also abundantly visible on the decay- 
ing trees, which he probes and chisels with great dexterity, 
stripping off wide flakes of loosened bark to come at the bur- 
rowing insects which chiefly compose his food. In whatever 
engaged, haste and wildness seem to govern all his motions, 
and by dodging and flying from place to place as soon as 
observed, he continues to escape eveiy appearance of danger. 
Even in the event of a fatal wound he still struggles with uncon- 
querable resolution to maintain his grasp on the trunk to which 
he trusts for safety to the very instant of death. When caught 
by a disabling wound, he still holds his ground against a tree, 
and strikes with bitterness the suspicious hand which attempts 
to grasp him, and, resolute for his native liberty, rarely submits 
to live in confinement. Without much foundation, he is charged 
at times with tasting maize. I have observed one occasionally 
making a hearty repast on holly and smilax berries. 
This species is being driven back by “ civilization,” and is now 
found only in the deeper forests. Mr. William Brewster reports 
that a few pairs still linger in the northern part of Worcester 
County, Mass. 
