58 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 
caterpillars had been devoured by this one family of 
birds. 
Not less remarkable than the number of young— 
and no book that I have consulted records so large 
a brood—was their condition. Not only did they all 
appear lusty, but they seemed to be about equally 
developed, the slight difference in strength and size 
which existed being easily attributable to a differ- 
29, A Chickadee family. 
ence in age, some interval doubtless having elapsed 
between the hatching of the first and last egg. 
This fact would have been of interest had the 
birds inhabited an open nest, or a nest large enough 
for them all to have had an equal opportunity to 
receive food; but where only two thirds of their 
number could be seen from above at once, and where 
avery little neglect would have resulted fatally, it 
seems remarkable that one or more, failing to receive 
his share of food, had not been weakened in conse- 
