24 BIRD STORIES FROM BURROUGHS 



ing a warning note. Long before they were fully 

 fledged they clambered up to the orifice to re- 

 ceive their food. As but one could stand in the 

 opening at a time, there was a good deal of el- 

 bowing 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, shining world, into which the young 

 birds seemed never tired of gazing. The fresh 

 air must have been a 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 mo- 

 tion or on a hint from the old one, he would give 

 place to the one behind him. Still, one bird evi- 

 dently 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 uncomfortable in his rear, and, after 

 " fidgeting " about awhile, he would be com- 

 pelled to " back down." But retaliation was then 

 easy, and I fear his mates spent few easy mo- 

 ments at that lookout. They would close their 

 eyes and slide back into the cavity as if the world 

 had suddenly lost all its charms for them. 



