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 v/as 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. suddenlj^ 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 



