334 



TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



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Phuto hi/ ]V. li. 



FIG. li:',. NESriNG BOX OF GREY-BREASTED MARTINS 



to push him back into the nest, so as to make room for an- 

 other, but he would not be pushed. They fed him some more 

 until, filled to repletion, he rejected what they brought; but 

 still, regardless of the protests of his hungry brethren, he 

 blocked the passage, filled with wonder at the new outlook 

 of life. He remained thus for nearly two hours, when a 

 change of mind suddenly came over him, and, through no 

 forcible persuasion, lie suddenly backed into the hole. His 

 place was taken at once by another, who relinquished it to 

 the third, only after taking his fill of the outdoor surround- 

 ings. The third remained to be fed for the space of ten min- 

 utes or so, and before it could do more than look around, 

 was violently replaced by the first claimant for the position, 

 who squeezed into the oj^ening and pushed his companion 

 down into the nest. He held the position most of the day. 



