208 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xni 



tendency of the chick to repeat the act and partly from the 

 parents moving from place to place more by flying than they 

 did before. At the end of the 5th week the chick flies freely 

 in response to a new and specific call from the parents who 

 often direct the flight by flying one on each side of the chick. 

 Adjustment to space relations and to air-conditions is gradually 

 acquired. 



Crouching Activities. — Shortly after birth crouching is 

 readily induced but does not last long. The young struggle 

 when seized. By the 3rd day the chicks spread out and 

 crouch apart when the alarm is given by the parents. Crouch- 

 ing is now persistent even when the chicks are handled. 

 Worms are noticed but are not captured, and if put in the 

 mouth are rejected. On the 5th day the response is almost 

 perfect, limpness is marked, and any position is retained 

 except the upside down position. In the 2nd week crouching 

 is maintained even in the inverted position, and is resumed 

 after feeding without a renewal of the initial stimulus. The 

 bobbing of the adults tends to make the chicks crouch, but 

 is not a completely effective stimulus. In one instance, 

 crouching lasted continuously for if hours. In the 3rd week 

 the mere attitude of watchfulness on the part of the parents 

 causes the chicks to crouch, and towards the end of the week 

 the choice of crouching place, previously directed by the 

 adults, begins to be determined to some extent by the chick 

 itself. On the 20th day chicks were seen to go out of sight 

 in response to the observer's arrival without visible or audible 

 direction from the adults. The act of flight may at first be 

 followed by crouching. In the 4th week crouching is often 

 supplemented by hiding in vegetation, and in the 5th week 

 tends to be replaced by flight. In the 4th week the chicks 

 show a tendency to stand for long periods close to large 

 stones — a protective reaction in view of the relatively large 

 size of the chicks. 



Covering Activities.— The parents cover the young 

 almost continuously for the first 2-3 days. Thereafter the 

 young become very hardy and are covered very little unless 

 the weather is cold or wet. The offer of cover does not 

 evoke an immediate response till the 2nd week. At the 

 end of the 4th week covering ceases. 



Preening and Related Activities. — Preening was 

 observed as early as the 5th day : bathing in the 2nd week. 

 About the same time the bill when soiled begins to be wiped 

 on the plumage. By the 4th week the secretion of the oil- 

 gland is used to anoint the feathers. In the 5th week the 



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