392. Campephilus principalis. 20 inches.

Male with a scarlet crest, female with a black one.

These are the largest and most rare of the Woodpeckers found within our borders. Their decline in numbers is due, to a certain extent, to the killing of them because of their size and beauty, but chiefly on account of cutting off of a great deal of the heavy timber where they nest. They are very powerful birds and often scale the bark off the greater portion of a tree in their search for insects and grubs, while they will bore into the heart of a living tree to make their home.

Note. - A shrill two-syllabled shriek or whistle.

Nest. - In holes of large trees in impenetrable swamps. On the chips at the bottom of the cavity, they lay from three to six glossy, pure white eggs (1.45 x 1.00).

Range. - Formerly the South Atlantic States and west to Texas and Indian Territory, but now confined to a few isolated portions of Florida and, possibly, Indian Territory.