Ceophloeus pileatus. Lake Umbagog, Maine. A superb creature. 1897. A Pileated Woodpecker that we had heard off in the cedar Sept.21. (arbor vitae) swamp (at Curtis Meadow) finally flew nearly over us and alighted against the trunk of a tall naked stub that stood in the marsh about 40 yards away. Here it remained for at least five minutes. It first moved slowly up the trunk by a succession of short and rather labored leaps or hops. On reaching a point near the top it stopped and clinging to the trunk looked alternately down at us and off over the forest. Its fine crest was erected most of the time; the sunlight shining through it from beyond made it fairly flame. Every now and then the bird would cackle without moving anything but its bill uttering a long succession of slowly given cucks. Finally it gave the short, tremulous call (quite distinct from the cackle although not dissimilar in tone) three or four times looking all the while towards the west as if it expected an answer and finally flying off in that direction. I have often been much nearer a Pileated Woodpecker than we were to this bird but never before have I seen one to equally good ad- vantage or when I have received so distinct and lasting an impression. What a superb creature it is with its flaming crest and proud bearing! On this occasion - as on many pre- vious ones - it reminded me of - or rather suggested - an In- dian. I believe it the wildest bird that inhabits New England not the shiest but the greatest lover of the primitive forest. 71