EASTERN HERMIT THRUSH 149 



pearance did not seem to excite the birds in the least. However, the 

 female on the nest after having caught sight of the squirrel followed 

 every move until he had passed and was well out of sight. On 

 another day a hummingbird hovered for 30 seconds between the nest 

 and the blind not more than 3 feet above the nest, but neither bird 

 paid any attention to this unusual visitor. O. S. Pettingill, Jr. 

 (1930), writes of a gartersnake that appeared among the leaves near 

 a nest he was observing from a blind. The parent bird was much 

 perturbed. She flew from the nest screaming alarm calls and hover- 

 ing over the unwelcome guest in a defiant defensive attitude. It is 

 apparent that through some previous experience or hereditary tend- 

 ency the birds recognized the snake as an enemy to be challenged on 

 sight. 



Unless disturbed the female remained on the nest during the day, 

 especially if it were cold and raining or when it was excessively hot. 

 During the latter condition she would perch on the edge of the nest 

 with her wings somewhat extended to keep the burning sun rays off 

 the eggs or young. At one time when the temperature arose above 

 90° she kept her beak wide open and panted incessantly in order to 

 retain her normal body temperature. Only in the early morning or 

 late in the evening just before sunset did I see her leave the nest 

 voluntarily. These trips were doubtless taken to supplement the 

 food delivered to her by the male. 



Young. — After the eggs are pipped hatching proceeds rapidly. 

 The struggling embryo breaks the shell in two parts, the crack taking 

 place near the greatest diameter. In the course of a few minutes the 

 embryo is entirely free. Each time I saw this critical event happen 

 the adult was away from the nest. On her return, after carefully 

 inspecting the young, she picked up an empty half shell and carried 

 it away returning immediately to remove the other part. The 

 appearance of the young is an important event in the household and 

 seems to excite the parents to greater activity. Both parents flit 

 about nervously and seem most anxious to serve their offspring. 

 They now exhibit less caution and more daring in approaching the 

 nest. A small green larva was delivered and fed to the young in less 

 than five minutss after it had come into the world. 



At the time of hatching the young are nearly naked, being clothed 

 by only a few scant tufts of dark grayish down on the crown and 

 dorsal tracts of the body. Though the eyes are closed during the 

 first two or three days, the young birds are most responsive to the 

 approach of the adults at the very start. In fact, a mere touch of 

 the rim of the nest is sufficient to initiate the feeding response — up- 

 lifting their heads, extending their gape, and displaying the bright 

 colors lining the mouth. Both parents take an active part in the 



