VISUAL PERCEPTION OF THE CHICK 93 



Again confirms above notes; each movement was "deliberate;" careful looking 

 in direction of stimuli; inspected — compartment thoroughly from two positions 

 close to wires, one being near partition, other near outside of box: + compart- 

 ment next inspected and entered very short distance; chick stopped and looked 

 carefully again, then continued slowly but steadily to the exit where it escaped. 

 The first evidence that No. 27, or any other chick, considers stimuli in choosing; 

 doubtful if chick understands problem, but it is approaching a solution. 



These observations occur at the end of a series in which the 

 chick made the fewest correct choices during its entire period 

 of training. 



In series 10, chick 27 made 9 correct choices. An error 

 occurred in test 2. A note in explanation of this error says: 



See notes for series 9 (given above); confirms observations there recorded. 

 Concerning the series, the notes read: The same carefulness and deliberation 

 appear throughout this series. The bird has evidently discovered some factor in 

 the last thirteen tests which enables it to respond appropriately. 



In connection with series 11, it was observed: 



The behavior indicates that it recognizes the stimuli, or some accompaniment) 

 as representing a signal for choosing; the recognition, as such, however, does not 

 imply that the ''signs" are fully comprehended; the discrimination habit is started 

 and it must now be "worn in" by repetition. The problem seems to be recognized 

 and the chick is putting forth an effort to solve it. The chick is in a very inter- 

 esting stage of learning. 



An interesting comment comparing the stages of learning 

 attained by chicks 24 and 27 appears in my notes at the close 

 of series 11. 



No. 24 seems to have reached a stage attained by No. 27 at the close of series 

 9. There is now a tendency to turn back after a shock instead of continuing to 

 exit; the shock is beginning to have a definite meaning. The significance of the 

 shock, however, is not so great for No. 24 as it was for No. 27 in the last three 

 tests of series 9. No. 24 does not always turn back on receiving the shock. No. 

 27 has not failed to turn back promptly since test 8, series 9. This is probably 

 due to the fact that the same intensity of shock affects No. 24 more than No. 27. 

 The shock seems to be optimal for No. 27 but too severe for No. 24. 



The low number of correct choices by No. 27 in series 12 is 

 probably due to the introduction of new brightness conditions 

 for control purposes. Errors occurred in tests 1 and 7-10. 

 These new features were added only in tests 7-9. It is question- 

 able, also, whether an error should be charged in test 10. 

 After comparing both stimuli, the chick went to the rear right 



