Nae, 1920 IMPORTANCE OF THE BLIND IN BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 15 
ing opportunity for two exposures. Now I was due for a surprise, in that the 
male, so timid and cautious, came direct to the entrance and having apparently 
dispelled all fear, began to regurgitate, a comical sight as he gulped until his 
neck had swelled as though inflated; then with bill full to the overflowing 
point he quickly fed the young (from the outside of the cavity) and assumed a 
‘‘spring off’’ position, all of which actions were caught with the camera, as | 
secured five exposures before he departed. The birds are not disturbed at the 
Fig. 5. THE FEMALE FLICKER, PREPARATORY TO igs “6: FEMALE FLICKER AFTER 
FEEDING; DISTANCE FROM CAMERA TO NEST CLEANING NEST AND ABOUT TO DE- 
ENTRANCE, FIVE FEET. PART WITH EXCRETA IN HER BILL; 
‘ THIS MATERIAL IS ALWAYS CARRIED 
TO A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE FROM 
THE NEST SITE, 
sound of the release or shutter mechanism, the lens being the real object of 
their anxiety. 
At no time was there any visible food substance in the bill of a parent bird, 
although it would begin regurgitation immediately when opposite the entrance, 
feeding two or three of the young which may have climbed to the opening, and 
then would enter the nest to feed the other members of the family. The food 
