Birds, Vol. III, No 3, March 1898

<h2><SPAN name="THE_IVORY-BILLED_WOODPECKER2" id="THE_IVORY-BILLED_WOODPECKER2"></SPAN> THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.</h2> <p><i>Yap! Yap! Yap!</i></p> <p>As I am called the prince of Woodpeckers, I can, I suppose, shout just as loud as I like. Of course my cousin, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, will turn up his bill and say they only call me the prince because I am the largest of all the North American Woodpeckers. Well, I think that is reason enough, don't you? Some creatures who are not birds, have been called princes and kings for less than that&mdash;so I have heard.</p> <p><i>Mr. Red-belly</i> had a great deal to say about, and for himself, in <span class="sc">Birds</span> last month; he sent his picture, too. Pooh! he can't compare with me. I am said to be the most magnificent Woodpecker of the whole lot. My species is select, too, no matter if he does say the whole family of <i>Woodpeckers</i> are common. We are considered rare birds. You don't find us in all localities, no indeed! You will have to travel to the far, far south to catch a glimpse of one of us magnificent fellows. Should you ever go way down on the Suwanee river, and walk "real easy" through the cypress forests you might get a peep at one of us. But we are wild and shy, and like to travel long distances through the day; no stay-at-home bodies among us.</p> <p>I'm not one of the three-toed Woodpeckers, either, that Mr. Red-belly was so anxious to tell you about. It's very strange how eager some people are to talk about other people's imperfections. I have four toes, two in front and two behind, so it isn't "sour grapes" that leads me to speak as I do. I'll admit my feet are peculiar, my toes assisting me in clinging to an upright surface, and my pointed stiff tail-feathers serving to prop me up when resting.</p> <p>I think I am very fortunate, too, in having such a stout, chisel-like bill, and such a horny, spear-like tongue. With the first I cut away wood and explore the hiding place of grubs; with the latter I impale them and draw the food out. Dear, dear! How fearfully and wonderfully we are made, to be sure&mdash;birds as well as men.</p> <p>Sing! No, wish I could. But then I have a love-song which my mate thinks is fine; 'tis a long, rolling call, which I beat with my bill.</p> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</SPAN></span></p> <table class="sp2 mc w50" title="IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER." summary="IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER."> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="3"><span class="ac w100 figcenter"> <SPAN name="i_038.jpg" id="i_038.jpg"> <ANTIMG style="width:100%" src="images/i_038.jpg" width="443" height="597" alt="" /></SPAN></span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xx-smaller ac w30">From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.</td> <td class="x-smaller ac w40">IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.<br/> &#189; Life-size.</td> <td class="xx-smaller ac w30">Copyright by<br/> Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr class="small" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</SPAN></span></p> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />