218 
THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
monarchs of our forests so excavated, and that so singularly, that the tottering 
fragments of the trunk appeared to be merely supported by the great pile of 
chips by which its base was surrounded. The strength of this Woodpecker 
is such, that I have seen it detach pieces of bark seven or eight inches in 
length at a single blow of its powerful bill, and by beginning at the top 
branch of a dead tree, tear off the bark, to an extent of twenty or thirty feet, 
in the course of a few hours, leaping downwards with its body in an upward 
position, tossing its head to the right and left, or leaning it against the bark 
to ascertain the precise spot where the grubs were concealed, and imme- 
diately after renewing its blows with fresh vigour, all the while sounding its 
loud notes, as if highly delighted. 
This species generally moves in pairs, after the young have left their 
parents. The female is always the most clamorous and the least shy. Their 
mutual attachment is, I believe, continued through life. Excepting when 
digging a hole for the reception of their eggs these birds seldom, if ever, 
attack living trees, for any other purpose than that of procuring food, in 
doing which they destroy the insects that would otherwise prove injurious 
to the trees. 
I have frequently observed the male and female retire to rest for the 
night, into the same hole in which they had long before reared their young. 
This generally happens a short time after sunset. 
When wounded and brought to the ground, the Ivory-bill immediately 
makes for the nearest tree, and ascends it with great rapidity and perse- 
verance, until it reaches the top branches, when it squats and hides, generally 
with great effect. Whilst ascending, it moves spirally round the tree, utters 
its loud pait, pait, pait, at almost every hop, but becomes silent the moment 
it reaches a place where it conceives itself secure. They sometimes cling to 
the bark with their claws so firmly, as to remain cramped to the spot for 
several hours after death. When taken by the hand, which is rather a 
hazardous undertaking, they strike with great violence, and inflict very 
severe wounds with their bill as well as claws, which arc extremely sharp 
and strong. On such occasions, this bird utters a mournful and very piteous 
cry. 
I have only to add to what I have said of the habits and distribution, of 
this species, that I found it very abundant along the finely wooded margins 
of that singular stream, called “Buffalo Bayou,” in the Texas, where we 
procured several specimens. 
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Picus principalis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 20. 
Pious principalis, Bonap. Syn., p. 44. 
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Picus principalis, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 564. 
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Picus principalis, Aud. Orn. Biog.,voli. p. 341 ; vol. v. 
d. 525. 
