File:A-birding on a bronco (1896) (14727307066).jpg

Identifier: abirdingonbronco00bail (find matches)
Title: A-birding on a bronco
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Bailey, Florence Augusta (Merriam), 1863-
Subjects: Birds Birds
Publisher: Boston, New York, Houghton, Mifflin
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ied their first hunger, they would shakethe bread from their bills as if they didnt like itand wanted food they were used to. When one got hungry he would call out, andthen his brother would begin to shout. The littletots gave a crooning gentle note when caressed,and a soft cry when they snuggled down in ourhands or cuddled up to us as they had doneunder their mothers wing. Their call for foodwas a sibilant chirr, and they gave it much oftenerthan any of the grown-up woodpecker notes.But they also said chuck-ah and rattled like theold birds. I was glad there were two of them so they wouldnot be so lonely. If separated they showed theirinterest in each other. If Bairdi called, Jacobwould keep still and listen attentively, raising histopknot till every microscopic red feather stoodup like a bristle, when he would answer Bairdi ina loud manly voice. It was amusing to see the small birds try toplume themselves. Sometimes they would take asudden start to make their toilettes, and both work
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JACOB AND KAIRDI VISITING THE OLD NEST TREE LITTLE PRISONERS IN THE TOWER. 79 away vigorously upon their plumes. It was com-ical to see them try to find their oil glands. Hadthe old birds taught them how to oil their featherswhile they were still in the nest? They werethickly feathered, but when they reached back totheir tails the pink skin showed between theirspines and shoulders, giving a good idea of theway birds feathers grow only in tracts. When the little princes were about a monthold, I arranged with a neighboring photographerto have them sit for their picture. He drove overto the sycamore, and the lad who had rescued theprisoners took them down to keep their appoint-ment. One of them tried to tuck its head upthe boys sleeve, being attracted by dark holes.While we were waiting for the photographer, theboy put Jacob in a hollow of the tree, where hebegan pecking as if he liked it. He worked awaytill he squeezed himself into a small pocket, andthen, with his feathers ruffled up,

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