GROUP ORGANIZATION 177 



acquired the peck-right, that is, the right to peck 

 another without being pecked in return, exercises it 

 except in the event of a successful revolt which, with 

 chickens, rarely occurs. 



The intensity of pair contact-reactions varies 

 greatly. A superior may peck a subordinate severely, 

 or lightly, or it may only threaten to do so. It usually 

 turns its head, points its bill toward the subordinate 

 and takes a few steps in that direction. It may then 

 give a low deep characteristic sound which fre- 

 quently accompanies an actual peck, and stretch its 

 neck up and out without the resulting peck which 

 it seems just ready to administer. 



The peck, when actually delivered, may be light, 

 heavy, or slashing. These vigorous pecks may be 

 painful even to man, as anyone can testify who has 

 tried to take a setting hen off her nest; and particu- 

 larly painful if repeated in the same spot. The peck- 

 ing bird may draw blood from the comb or may 

 pull feathers from the neck of the pecked fowl. The 

 peck is frequently aimed at the comb or the top of 

 the head; often it is not received with full force, for 

 the pecked bird dodges. Less often the peck is di- 

 rected toward back or shoulders. 



The severity of a peck which lands as aimed is 

 illustrated by a recent observation in one of our 

 small flocks. One bird received a vicious peck di- 



