Cambridge, Mass.
1910
July 19
[July 19, 1910]

Strange behavior of a Flicker

  A Flicker on our lawn this morning attracted
my attention by remaining perfectly immovable for
many minutes. At length I walked towards him.
As I approached he gave me no sign that he was
aware of my presence. Even when I got within
a yard of him he continued to maintain his
statuesque pose. His breathing seemed normal and
his eyes looked bright and alert but his gaze
was directed towards some distant object, I
know not what, and he completely ignored me.
Although I could detect no evidence of any 
external injury I felt sure that he must be either
seriously hurt or very ill until I advanced my
foot when it was within six inches of him he
started, as if awakening from a trance, and flew
up into one of the lindens. After this he behaved
like a perfectly sane and vigorous Flicker. I am
at a loss to explain his behavior on the lawn.
He seemed to indulging in a very profound day dream.