YOUNG SAPSUCKERS IX CAPTIVITY. IGl 



squealing note of alarm so characteristic of the 

 wild sapsucker. At night I looked to see how 

 they slept. They were side by side, hanging 

 erect upon the back wall of the cage, with their 

 heads tucked under their wings. One by one 

 they waked, and turned with sleepy surprise to 

 look at the lamplight glaring at the mouth of 

 their cage. 



On July 10, 1 made serious efforts to teach the 

 birds to feed themselves. Catching them at in- 

 tervals, I dipped their bills into the syrup in 

 their cups, forcing them to drink. By 9.30 a. m. 

 Number One had learned his lesson. Two hours 

 later Number Two drank voluntarily, and a little 

 after one o'clock the feeble and timid Number 

 Three followed suit. Early in the afternoon, 

 Three seemed so exhausted by the blows show- 

 ered upon her by One and Two, that I thought 

 she was going to die. I took her out and allowed 

 her to perch upon the top of the cage. Suddenly 

 she revived, slipped through my hand, flew the 

 length of the open barn, out into the trees be- 

 yond, and was gone. After searching for her 

 for over an hour, I gave her up as lost. 



At 8 A. M. the next day I heard a sapsucker 

 squeal near the house, and running out found 

 Three sitting on top of a clothes-line post. She 

 looked bright and knowing, but did not offer to 

 fly, even when I extended my hand to catch her. 



