Frank H Shoemaker, Child's Point, May 26, 1901
Child's Point, May 26, 1901
May 26, 1901
Childs' Point
Omaha, Nebraska
In the woodland at Childs' Point today I noticed a hole in a small dead tree, evidently the work of a downy woodpecker in some other season. The hole was about four feet from the ground. It chances often that a gentle tapping, or scratching or stroking the bark, will disclose whether such a hole is occupied; a bird or a moue will stick out its head to see who is visiting.
So I tapped warily; not a crude summons, but a polite tattoo with a finger-nail. And it got results.
From within, there came the most peculiar sound; a tapping, much stronger than mine own, and with it a hissing sound.
I was completely at a loss to understand what it would be. Surely not a downy woodpecker, for the cavity was old and there were no fresh chips. It might be a chickadee; but no chickadee of my acquaintance had ever acted that way.
These conjectures were passing through my mind while
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I was digging out of my kit a means of solving the prob-lem: two tiny strips of mirror, one inch wide and two inches long, To explore a small dark hole - like this one - hold one mirror in the opening, face down, at a 45-degree angle; with the other mirror, held close, reflect
the light of the sky, or better the sun, into the sloped glass.
So I assembled my machinery. The sun was shining at a convenient angle, and the illumination of the cavity was excellent.
I was looking down upon the back of a chickadee, the cavity being about six inches deep. But what of those funny noises which I had heard? Perhaps the lady would show off again! So, holding the angled glass in position, I used the other hand to tap as I had before; and again the mysterious sounds came forth. Hastily reflecting the light into the sloping mirror, I could see the whole show.
The chickadee was pecking rhythmically, about twice
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to the second, at the wood in front of it, end producing, of course vocally, the hissing sound which I had heard.... I wish that I might find a better word than "hissing," which does not adequately describe the sound, there being a bit more "voice" in it; and it was well outside the range of anything which I had ever heard a chickadee say. Obvi-ously it was a defensive device of the bird to discourage intrusion; and I should say that, in general, it might prove very effective.
I stayed by in the most unmannerly way, and by occasional tapping stimulated the bird time and again to repeat its funny little show. I must have spent twenty minutes at the nest. Then I went to the shelter of bushes near by, and watched; for I wished to see that chickadee in the open. And after about five minutes it came out - just an ordinary little chickadee, not in the least vainglorious. So I emerged from my concealment. Dear, dear! the things that bird said to me, and about me! - all of which I deserved.
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Within the next three days I took separately two of my ornithological friends to this nest; and on each occasion the same performance was put on, and encored.