Stanwood — A Hermit Thrush Study 183 



Between feeding times when the birds were not seeking 

 food for themselves, they Hked to snuggle down on the pine 

 needles under low firs, or among dead leaves and sticks in 

 hollows, or to perch on dead branches or stumps. The 

 Thrushes resembled their surroundings so closely that I was 

 in constant fear lest I should step on one. I always examined 

 the ground carefully before advancing a step. 



When in the woods, the birds kept in touch by a very sweet, 

 low call that sounded like phee. A bird became uneasy at 

 once if he lost his mates. I heard them call peep frequently, 

 and also chuck once. One day when I covered a little bird 

 in a basket to take him to the studio, he gave the pitiful call 

 that the parents give when concerned for the safety of the 

 young in the nest, a call that sounds like a deep sigh. 



Even after the young had been in the woods for several 

 days, they would have suffered for food and water without my 

 constant care. I found that it was necessary to select a new 

 feeding place for them where they must find water, and where 

 they could not avoid the wild birds that came to drink and 

 bathe. 



When the Hermits were about fifteen days old, they awoke 

 me one morning, calling for food. I fed them and returned 

 to my room. When one became hungry again, he perched 

 on the molding of the door through which I disappeared and 

 called until I came and fed him. 



When seventeen days old, the Thrushes were able to pick 

 up anything from the floor such as ants, ant's eggs, flying 

 ants, small spiders, and the like. 



Often tame young birds will follow voices, and fly up onto 

 a stranger and beg for food instead of helping themselves. 

 To counteract this tendency in my Thrushes, I never exhibited 

 them to company at home, I never took visitors to see them 

 in the woods, I never called them save at the feeding place, 

 I never answered their welcoming peeps until I arrived at 

 the feeding tree. Although I loved them dearly, I never 

 petted or coddled them. And I never spared myself any ex- 

 ertion that would add to their health, comfort, or safety. 



