GQ The Wilson Bulletin — No. 83. 



On the afternoon of July 11 the one remaining nestling 

 (red) left the nest several times for the twigs nearby, some- 

 times for shade, and at other times as if to leave, but it re- 

 turned to the nest each time, as if not yet sure of its ability to 

 travel. On several occasions during this behavior, the female 

 stayed in the weeds near at hand, watching the young bird, 

 as if to be of assistance when needed. 



The following notes are taken from the field record : 



"On the morning of July 12, at 4:22 a. m., the nestling 

 awakened, stretched, flapped wings, and chirped for some 

 time. Then settled down again and seemed very listless. 



'' At 5 :15, red was on the west edge of the nest ; at 5 :30, 

 red left the nest for nearby twigs ; foot was caught but soon 

 pulled it loose. 



" Red went from twig to twig until it reached another 

 bush at 5 :24 ; here it stretched and preened. At 5 :35, red 

 turned around on the twig and then back again. At 5 :41, 

 crawled farther out, stood up twice, as if to go, and then set- 

 tled down again. 



" Female approached and called. 



" At 6 :05, red jumped farther down on the same twig, 

 four to six inches lower. Tried to climb up a weed, but slid 

 down to first landing. 



" At 6 :07, red flew to weed about one and one-half inches 

 away, but went back again. 



" Female departed. 



" At 6 :25, red moved to another part of the same twig. 



"At 6:27, red jumped to a low clump of weeds, and so on 

 to another, and then on to the ground, at 6 :28. 



" Then I removed the red string from the leg ; while both 

 male and female were near, calling and scolding. 



" All during this period, while the nestling was leaving 

 the nest, the female brought food." 



SUMMARY. 

 1. The young in the nest were under observation for 144 

 hours and 53 minutes. 



