IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
17 
Ivory-billed and Pileated Woodpecker, represented in the 
same plate ; and it was not till I shewed them the two birds 
together, that they knew of any difference. The more intel- 
ligent and observing part of the natives, however, distinguish 
them by the name of the large and lesser Logcocks. They 
seldom examine them but at a distance, gunpowder being 
considered too precious to be thrown away on Woodpeckers; 
nothing less than a Turkey being thought worth the value of 
a load. 
The food of this bird consists, I believe, entirely of insects 
and their larvae.* The Pileated Woodpecker is suspected of 
sometimes tasting the Indian corn : the Ivory-billed never. 
His common note, repeated every three or four seconds, very 
the grubs were concealed, and immediately 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 perseverance 
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 if 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 are extremely sharp and strong. On such occasions, 
this bird utters a mournful and very piteous cry.” — Ed. 
* Mr Audubon says, that though the greater part of their food consists of 
insects and their larvse, no sooner are the grapes of our forests ripe, than they 
are eaten with the greatest avidity. I have seen this bird hang by its claws to 
the vines, in the position so often assumed by the Titmouse, and, reaching 
down, help itself to a bunch of grapes. Persimmons are also sought by them, 
as soon as the fruit becomes quite mellow, arid hagberries. — Ed. 
VOL. II. 
B 
