thayer} HOURS WITH THE FLICKERS 235 



so that it was 12.10, and my neck was nearly blistered, when she 

 finally approached the nest, and fed her young. I did not count 

 how many were fed, but I took the picture, and the flicker did 

 not eyen look around at the click of the camera. 



July 13 (continued). — In the afternoon, at 2.45, I took the 

 young birds out of the nest, placed them on the tree trunk where 

 they clung, and photographed them. They could not haye 

 posed better had the photographer told them to "keep still and 

 look pleasant . ' ' 



July 13 (continued), 4.45-6.48 p. If. — I went again to the 

 orchard, and sat against the tree with my head but a few inches 

 from the opening. This was to be my last move. If she came, 

 I would do nothing more to disturb her. After seventeen minutes 

 waiting, at 5.02 the female gave the alarm note — a rare cry for 

 her, — and a young bird answered it. Then the male came, and 

 together they "talked it over," he very vigorously, and she 

 quietly answering. Apparently he persuaded her not to take a 

 risk for she did not approach the nest, though I sat there until 

 6.48, and the young must have been very hungry. The only 

 acquisition from my two hours' vigil was a host of bird-lice. 



July 14, 9.50— 11.45 A - M - — The camera was placed in position 

 and another picture of the feeding obtained at 10.30. I wished 

 for still another, and the female came near at 10.50, but the male 

 kept up continual cries of alarm until 11.45. w hen I left the 

 orchard. One of the nestlings, the strongest one, whom I 

 several days ago named "Bold as Brass," had his head out of the 

 opening and continually answered the "kee-yer" of his father, 

 as I photographed him. 



July 15, 10.20 a. M.-12.20 p. if. — At 11.03, II -33> an d 12.20 

 the female fed her young, and I secured another photograph. 

 The male was about all the time, but this morning, Madame 

 Flicker was not to be persuaded that I was dangerous. 



July 16. — I went to the nest several times only to assure my- 

 self that the birds were still there. Once "Bold As Brass" 

 fluttered to the ground, and started off, but I returned him to his 

 brothers. Just before dark, they were all there. 



July 17. — Early morning, and they were gone! We heard the 

 flickers cry daily about the place, but they had gained their 

 independence and were no longer my flickers. 



One day, sometime after the flickers had left the nest, I 



