Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/142

114 hatch, for often one bird will remain on the nest during the day (and of course at night) with such chicks as cannot yet stand or walk, while the other feeds close at hand with the stronger ones. Thus the full time for sitting may be, and often is, exceeded by some days, and all the sound eggs may hatch. But if the hen has laid, say, four or five after beginning to sit, it is probable that several will be left in the nest, containing large living chicks (which die in the shell), for the birds will not continue sitting for more than three or four days after the first chicks appear.

As the time for the eggs to hatch out draws near, the birds become much excited, probably from hearing the chicks crying in the shell, or pecking at it to break themselves out (both sounds being very distinct); the excitement increases as the chicks appear.

When first hatched the chicks are perfectly helpless; the back of the head and adjoining portion of the neck are greatly swollen and out of shape, as are the legs, especially the tarsi and toes, which are puffed and jelly-like, and of a transparent-looking pinkish yellow. The eyes have a cloudy expressionless appearance. For some hours they cannot even hold up their heads; they cannot stand until at least twenty-four hours old, nor get about at all until another day older, and then only in a very ricketty manner, tumbling over every few steps; nor are they quick and steady on their legs until the swelling has quite subsided. They do not seem to have much consciousness for about the first twenty-four hours, but when once they have found their legs they soon become exceedingly wild unless handled, and rapidly attain to a remarkable speed. For about the first day they eat nothing; after this they may be seen, when the sunshine is warm, sitting on the edge of the nest, just free of the parent, pecking feebly and uncertainly at small objects on the ground, or at anything within their reach. The stronger ones will gradually wander a short distance from the nest with the parent that is not sitting, and eventually all will leave it, being tended by both cock and hen.