The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-09-19
RATlIFF TELLS
OF EXPERIMENT
WITH FLICKERS
~ WALTER RArLiFF

~ WALTER RATliFF
While engaged in field work in the
study Of Orinthology, have observed
many phases Of bird life that have
not only proven very singular but ex
tremely interesting. Among many
points Of special interest. that Of de
termining the largest number Of eggs
deposited in continuous laying BY
q female bird. has surely been among
the most fascinating.
While trimming an old cherry tree
near the library window Of my res.
idence, a hollow limb was found lead
ing into large cavity In the trunk
OF the tree. This. fortunately was soon
selected as suitable nesting place
by pair Of one of our more common
birds. the Flickers This bird is ra.
ther larger than robin, Of brownish
gray color with numerous bars of
black. The rump 10 white under sides
Of the shafts OF the feathers of both
wings and tail. rich yellow. and con.
spicuous scarlet band on the back of
the head.
Makes Hinge In Tree.
In order to better watch his nest
building and observe the days on
which the eggs were deposited In the
nest. az well as to be able to extract
them when desired, small block Of
wood was sawed in the body of the
tree near the bottom Of the cavity,
which on being allowed to hinge on
the bark. gave access to the nest
through the little doorway made In
this way.
When laying began, the eggs were
removed from the nest by the aid Of
a teaspoon as fast as deposited. care
being taken to leave always one egg
remaining in the nest at a time.
On the 10th of May, the first egg
was deposited. but not removed until
the following day, after the second
one was lain. The laying period con.
tinued until June 18th, when the last
egg was found in the nest. making
a total OF twenty one eggs in period
OF 30 days.
Eggs Not Always Found.
An egg was not found in the nest on
every day Of the egg.laying series. On
June list and 9Th as we'll as on the 9Th
and 9th, and on the 18th and 14th,
no eggs were secured. On the 18th. In
removing the twentieth egg with a
teaspoon, accidentally touched the
mother bird while on the nest.
With a peculiar plaintive call" she
at once left the nest and while cling
ing to the side Of tree near by, she
seemed to look at me with an air OF
satisfaction as to the cause OF the
loss of so many eggs from her nest.
The bird soon returned, however. to
the nest and to my surprise. came i
forth bringing the twenty-first or re.
egg with her. pierced by her
bill, which was dropped to the ground
as she flew away to parts unknown.
Plan Fails to Work.
II had been my intention as soon as
she had shown any inclination to want
to sit, to discontinue the experiment
and give her five fresh eggs OF her
laying But by leaving. It was found
to continue the plan as orig
nally outlined.
It has been claimed by some author
ties that in cases where birds have
been deprived Of their eggs In this way
while laying, that they will continue
10 deposit eggs in the nest until three
sets Of eggs are lain. The usual num-
Der of eggs Of the Flicker to a sitting
s five, which for three sittings would
make fifteen for the series, but l sue
,eeded in obtaining in all twenty.one
ind very probably would have secured
more had I not accidently disturbed
Ter while on the nest. 1t was not un-
common for both birds to frequent the
I'D cherry tree and those surrounding
Turing the days of the experiment. and
or hours at time. they would take
heir turn in hanging by their claws
O the inner side of the hollow Of the
rec, peering out through the cavity
eading to the nest apparently watch.
ny and seemed contented with the