BIRD PARADISE 45 



and spend an hour or two in a manner peculiar to 

 this bird. As they come from the direction of 

 Burritt's hill I conclude that their early home 

 was in that locality. I don't know that the alti- 

 tude has anything to do with a bird's welfare, 

 but certainly the elevation of 1,650 feet makes an 

 ideal place to begin the journey of life. It is 

 quite a lesson in bird coasting to watch the 

 flickers as they come down from the hill. They 

 move in broad curves, gliding down to the vil- 

 lage with the greatest ease. I notice they seem 

 to have a preference for the large apple tree in 

 my front yard. When the six birds are duly 

 gathered in the old tree the fun begins. They 

 glide around the great trunk, up and down, like 

 boys at play. I know of no other bird that in- 

 dulges in bird humor as the flickers do. If I 

 understand it at all it ripples, innocent and clear, 

 very much as it does with human beings. The 

 old birds range about the lawn, uncovering many 

 a dainty morsel for the hungry youngsters. While 

 they are at play they use a sort of subdued 

 chuckle that seems the very embodiment of 

 cheery sport. I notice that the other birds show 

 great deference to the flickers. From what I 

 have seen I judge that the flicker is a peaceable 

 fellow, but is ready to resent with vigor any tres- 



