SHARP EYES. 9 
also, for the interior of a high-hole’s dwelling is not 
sweet. When the parent birds came with food the 
young one in the opening did not get it all, but after 
he had received a portion, either on his own motion or 
on a hint from the old one, he would give place to the 
one behind him. Still, one bird evidently outstripped 
his fellows, and in the race of life was two or three 
days in advance of them. His voice was loudest and 
his head oftenest at the window. But I noticed that 
when he had kept the position too long, the others 
evidently made it uncomfortable in his rear, and, after 
“fidgeting ” about a while, he would be compelled to 
“back down.” But retaliation was then easy, and I 
fear his mates spent few easy moments at that look- 
out. They would close their eyes and slide back into 
the cavity as if the world had suddenly lost all its 
charms for them. 
This bird was, of course, the first to leave the nest. 
For two days before that event he kept his position in 
the opening most of the time and sent forth his strong 
voice incessantly. The old ones abstained from feed- 
ing him almost, entirely, no doubt to encourage his 
exit. As I stood looking at him one afternoon and 
noting his progress, he suddenly reached a resolution, 
—seconded, I have no doubt, from the rear, — and 
launched forth upon his untried wings. They served 
him well and carried him about fifty yards up-hill the 
first heat. The second day after, the next in size and 
spirit left in the same manner; then another, till 
only one remained. The parent birds ceased their 
visits to him, and for one day he called and called till 
our ears were tired of the sound. His was the faint- 
est heart of all.. Then he had none to encourage him 
from behind. He left the nest and clung to the outer 
