Birds of Dead River Region, Me. F. H. 0. 
74. Hylolomus pileatus, (Pileated Woodpecker). 
More conspicuous than abundant, the Logcock is 
a resident oi the evergreen forests. Its resonant 
“soundings” may be heard at almost any time in 
the spring, and its heron-like flap of the wing 
added to its rolling flight make it a conspicuous 
feature of the woods. It can use its feet in a 
powerful manner, and I have watched it on one 
occasion strip the bark from a lightning scathed 
hemlock with the cleverness of a professional 
“peeler” at the lumber camp. Two nests were 
found near Tim Pond, but no eggs were secured, 
but a set of five in my collection were taken in 
this vicinity by hands, now forever at rest. All 
nests were in the decayed tops of spruce trees. 
} (p 7 -' 
O.&O. XX. Nov. 1886. p. 162 -/ <* 3 - 
Breeding of the Pileated Woodpecker in Worcester County, Massachu- 
setts : p n a recent paper* I noticed the fact that a few Pileated Wood- 
* Notes on the Birds of Winchendon, Worcester Co., Mass. ‘The Auk,' Vol. V 
No. 4, Oct. 1888, pp. 386-393- 
peckers still linger in the northern part of Worcester County, Mass., and 
that a brood of young was seen there in the summer of 1887. Any doubt 
that may have existed as to whether these birds really breed in this region 
is now dispelled, for Mr. C. E. Bailey has sent me a set of four eggs which 
he took at Winchendon, May 17, 1S90. The nest was about forty feet 
above the ground in a dead hemlock fully three feet through at the base 
and over seventy feet in height. Some photographs taken for me under 
Mr. Bailey’s direction show that the tree stood in an opening surrounded 
by a dense forest of spruces. One of the Woodpeckers, sufficiently large 
and distinct to be easily identified with the aid of a magnifying glass, 
appears clinging to the trunk a few feet from the entrance to its nest. 
This opening, according to Mr. Bailey’s description, was of sufficient size 
to admit the hand and arm, so that no preliminary cutting was necessary 
in order to reach the eggs. 
When the nest was first discovered both birds were in it together, but 
on the following day when the eggs were taken the male was away, and 
did not appear until his home was invaded. He watched the movements 
of the enemy from a safe distance, relieving his mind, meanwhile, by 
“ talking a good deal.” The female parent, on the contrary, showed 
marked devotion to her eggs. After being again and again driven from 
the nest by violent pounding at the base of the tree, she would quickly 
return; and even after the eggs were removed she entered the nest and 
remained within for some time, peeping out every nowand then as if seek- 
ing some trace of her lost treasures. 
After the nest was robbed, the pair disappeared for a few days, but 
returned about July 1, and a week or so later (I have been unable to obtain 
the exact date and particulars) Mr. Bailey took a second set of four eggs 
from the same hole. 
In the eggs of the first se f incubation had progressed several days, 
showing that probably the full number had been laid. They measured 
respectively: 1.34 X 1.00, 1.28 X 1.00, 1.27 X 1.00, and 1.22 X .97 inch. 
In shape they are full, somewhat elliptical ovate. Save that they are 
larger and have an even higher polish, they closely resemble the eggs of 
Colaptes, showing the same conspicuous pits or pores. — William Brew- 
ster, Cambridge, Mass. AUK, VXI, Get, 18S0.P. */ro -*/o / ■ 
