IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 
135 
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 1 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, 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 <jnough 
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 
g r one 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 a 
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 
