Abstract: Telescopingly retractable crop gathering finger means for agricultural harvesting apparatus, and apparatus equipped with same. In a preferred embodiment the finger means comprises an elongated, tubular housing adapted to be attached to a harvester frame and a rigid, retractable finger which is telescopingly received within the housing. The finger is normally biased in a fully extended, outwardly projecting position by spring means disposed internally of the housing, and is adapted to slide along the ground to pick up downed crops. In response to predetermined excess forces encountered by the finger, it will automatically retract internally of the housing thereby escaping damage. An aperture in the housing may be provided to selectively lock the finger in a fully retracted position internally of the housing where desired by the operator.