IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
13 
preventive or more complete mode of destruction can be 
devised against these insects, and their larvae, I would humbly 
suggest the propriety of protecting, and receiving with proper 
feelings of gratitude, the services of this and the whole tribe 
of Woodpeckers, letting the odium of guilt fall upon its proper 
owners. 
In looking over the accounts given of the Ivory-billed 
Woodpecker by the naturalists of Europe, I find it asserted, 
that it inhabits from New Jersey to Mexico. I believe, 
however, that few of them are ever seen to the north of 
Virginia, and very few of them even in that state. The first 
place I observed this bird at, when on my way to the south, 
was about twelve miles north of Wilmington in North Caro- 
lina. There I found the bird from which the drawing of 
the figure in the plate was taken. This bird was only 
wounded slightly in the wing, and, on being caught, uttered 
a loudly reiterated, and most piteous note, exactly resembling 
the violent crying of a young child ; which terrified my horse 
so, as nearly to have cost me my life. It was distressing to 
hear it. I carried it with me in the chair, under cover, to 
Wilmington. In passing through the streets, its affecting 
cries surprised every one within hearing, particularly the 
females, who 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, 
