12 
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
tions 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 
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-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 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 nohle 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 ornament; and, it is said, dispose of them to the north- 
ern 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 excellences 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 Wood- 
