Catharina meccormick Dec 16 chicks unconcern open bell defense e scape Dec 17 chick behavior chicks apart chicks out front, apart note difference in behavior chicks + gaggas On around today noted several times that the Santa chicks do not run away when I disturb the parents. They sit & regard me with apparent unconcern, will open bill defensively if I put my finger near them. This is of course in marked contrast to the gaga chick behavior. Notes on behavior of chicks when I was at the nest. Nest 22. Older chick lay quietly, head down. The younger was quiet also but held head up & looked about alertly. Nest 27. One chick in nest, one 3 feet away. The younger one was nonchalant, unafraid. The older one was more quiet but not as limp as at nest 22. Nest 53. The 2 chicks were away from the nest, the elder about 25 feet & the younger 12 feet from the nest. The older one lay quietly but but my finger when handled. The younger one was uninhibited by my presence looked about called to parent. Nest 36. The younger chick looked alertly at me called into deeper nasal chick squawk. No sign that it differentiated me from parent in that I was recognized as a threat. The older chick on the other hand reacted by lying head down & being quiet.