14 
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
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 noble and unconquerable 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 
northern 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 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 inhabits. In the low countries of the Carolinas it 
usually prefers the large timbered cypress swamps for breeding 
