SHARP EYES 33 



interior. The woodpeckers are not nest-builders, but 

 ratlier nest-carvers. 



The time seemed very short before the voices of 

 the young were heard in the heart of the old tree, 

 — at first feebly, but waxing stronger day by day 

 until they could be heard many rods distant. When 

 I put my hand upon the trunk of the tree, they 

 would set up an eager, expectant chattering; but if 

 I climbed up it toward the opening, they soon de- 

 tected the unusual sound and would hush quickly, 

 only now and then uttering a warning note. Long 

 before they were fully fledged they clambered up to 

 the orifice to receive their food. As but one could 

 stand in the opening at a time, there was a good deal 

 of elbowing and struggling for this position. It was 

 a very desirable one aside from the advantages it had 

 when food was served ; it looked out upon the great, 

 6hining world, into which the young birds seemed 

 never tired of gazing. The fresh air must have been 

 ft consideration 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 un- 

 comfortable in his rear, and, after " fidgeting " about 



