263 



Fig. 225. Her plumage was not as smooth as Jack^s,— per- 

 haps because she worked harder. 



graphs. Downy's plumage was always clean and neat but 

 that of his mate was quite worn and soiled, probably be- 

 cause she had been obliged to do nearly all of the work be- 

 fore the appearance of their little ones. 



The adults made alternate trips with food about every 

 five minutes, one often remaining in the nest until the other 

 arrived. Usually they brought but a single grub at a time, 

 but occasionally one of them would make a ''lucky strike" 

 and bring a whole mouthful. This nest was visited nearly 

 every morning in order to keep tabs on the growth of the 

 youngsters ; the older they got, the noiser they were, making 

 loud whining sounds when they were being fed. 



One morning I found one of them clinging to the outside 

 of the trunk and the rest crowded about the small entrance. 



