THE FLICKER 25 



This bird was, of course, the first to leave the 

 nest. For two days before that event he kept his 

 position in the opening most of the time and sent 

 forth his strong voice incessantly. The old ones 

 abstained from feeding him almost entirely, no 

 doubt to encourage his exit. As I stood looking 

 at him one afternoon and noting his progress, he 

 suddenly reached a resolution, — seconded, I have 

 no doubt, from the rear, — and launched forth 

 upon his untried wings. They served him well, 

 and carried him about fifty yards up-hill the first 

 heat. The second day after, the next in size and 

 spirit left in the same manner; then another, till 

 only one remained. The parent birds ceased their 

 visits to him, and for one day he called and 

 called till our ears were tired of the sound. His 

 was the faintest heart of all. Then he had none 

 to encourage him from behind. He left the nest 

 and clung to the outer bole of the tree, and yelped 

 and piped for an hour longer ; then he committed 

 himself to his wings and went his way like the 

 rest. 



The matchmaking of the high-holes, which 

 often comes under my observation, is in marked 

 contrast to that of the robins and the bluebirds. 

 There does not appear to be any anger or any 

 blows. The male or two males will alight on a 

 limb in front of the female, and go through 



