Siii:k-ma.\ — Skin oi- X()Rriii:R.\ I^'licker. 14:5 



the (.■x])t'riment niav be repeated, gaining- from the young the 

 same res])onse that is given when a parent darkens the hole. 



That cr\- of the young whfch is so often described as a hiss- 

 ing' sound, beg^ins very soon after they are hatched. At first 

 exceedingly faint it soon grows stronger and still stronger, and 

 is uttered day and night for two weeks. A ])arent upon taking 

 its place to brood these wailing nestlings begins to croon a 

 lullal)y and continues this musical murnnu" until it falls asleej), 

 which often is quite soon. It has no effect in lessening the 

 noise (jf the youngsters, yet the parent faithfully renders its 

 cradle song until the young cease to make this noise which is 

 about the time they begin to show fear. Of other cries that 

 they make there is the chuckling noise uttered when the little 

 one is in the act of seizing the food-bearing bill, and there is a 

 cry that sounds like a whine. Still another one is a note of 

 alarm given when the young are disturbed by some such thing 

 as the opening of the trap door. This uttered in unison has 

 a very theatrical effect strongi)- suggesting the chorus of the 

 stage, .\fter they have commenced to move about freely in 

 the nest they make much of the time a pleasant sound like a 

 chatter or quack, as if talking to each other. And lastly comes 

 the grown-u]) Flicker "])e-ap." which they begin to call as soon 

 as they climb to the hole. As one sits in the hole it appears 

 the personification of juvenile impudence shouting its man- 

 datory call. .\ change may be detected in the accent of this 

 note after a feeding, when the fellow, that has received little or 

 nothing having gained the hole, hurls after the retiring parent 

 a yelp that sounds trul\' flerisive. 



This arrival at the entrance hole works a decided change in 

 the young Flicker ; he utters for the first time a call of his 

 adult years, and he shows pugnacity remarkable because of 

 its contrast with his earlier and later peacefid dis]iosition. The 

 versifier who wrote 



"liirds in their nest agree; 

 And 'tis a shameful sight. 

 When children of one famil\- 

 h'all out and chide and fii-ht."' 



