Mar., 1916 CHAPTER IN THE LIFE HISTORY O1' THE WREN-TIT 67 other of the pair was upon the nest continually, it was fifteen days, this latter probably being more exact since the eggs hatched simultaneously. From April 20 until May I several observations were made daily. One or the other of the pair covered the young continually, but not once were they seen feeding. However, on April 23, when ! was leaning over the nest, a slight noise caused one of the young to raise its head and open its mouth. On April 26 the young had almost doubled in size, their eyes were beginning to open, and the feather tracts had become clearly defined, with indications of pin feathers upon the crown of the head and along the edges of the wings. This was the first indi- cation of plumage up to this time, for the birds appeared to be perfectly naked when hatched, not even down feathers being in evidence. By May 1, the young had commenced to feather out. The crown of the head, scapulars, inter-scapu- lars and underparts were becoming well-clad, and the flight feathers on the wings were breaking through their sheaths. The tail feathers were still only rudimentary. Unfortunately no further observations were made until May 4. On that date, between 9 and 10 A. ?., both birds were busily engaged in foraging for food and brought fifteen capacity loads to the nest at fairly regular intervals. The food was all secured in the immediate vicinity and each load was divided as . equally as possible among the three hungry youngsters. A small green caterpil- lar, a larva of one of the Geometrid moths, seemed to be the favorite, or perhaps the most available, article of food. A few angle-worms were brought, among other things not clearly recognized, and one small white moth was disposed of easily, wings and all. The old bird would sing loudly when a short distance from the nest, even when carrying two or three caterpillars in its bill. Always when a foot or so from the nest it would give a soft clucking sound which at once produced intense excitement among the young and caused m?ch stretching of necks and gaping of bills. ! hardly believe that the wren-tits practice regurgitation, although they would place their seemingly empty bills deep into the mouths of the young and instantly still their clamoring for food. Also on nearly every trip to the .nest with food, fragments of excrement were carefully removed, carried a little dis- rance away and dropped. On May 5, between 8:30 and 9:00 A. ?., nine trips with food were made, and one of the young in its impatience climbed out of the nest and spent a few moments perched upon a twig six or eight inches away, as if hoping to intercept the old birds and secure more than its share of food. This effort was unavailing as it received only its lawful share. Two fairly large winged moth? were eagerly accepted as food, although swallowed only with much difficulty. May 6 at 1:30 r. ?., the young were fed twice within five minutes, when apparently the great moment had arrived and as if at a signal all three, now -fully leathered, fluttered from the nest and remained perched contentedly upon nearby branches. Thus, sixteen days from the time of hatching, the nest had ceased to be a necessity and was abandoned. On May 7 the young were easily located, still only a short distance from the nest, by the actions of the old birds who for the' first time seemed truly worried at a strange presence, and gave fre- quent voice to their alarm note which Grinnell (Co?q?Ol?, xv, 1913, p. 179) has described as a "harsh clicking sound, rather loud and set off in abrupt seg- menks." The young were still, figuratively speaking, under the wing of the par- ?.nt bi?ds when last seen, and still seemingly unable to forage for themselves.
