The Tragedy of the Flying Squirrels 



to retire discomfited. The valiant 

 fighter in the trench had made a suc- 

 cessful defense. 



This I am sure was the flying squir- 

 rel's first real rough experience. What 

 to us appeared a most amusing per- 

 formance was to this dainty creature 

 a real fight for life. With his back 

 to the wall, his head was just visible 

 in the aperture in the tree. Mr. Red- 

 head, clinging to the rough bark just 

 outside, went after the intruder with 

 all the force that these marvelous little 

 winged carpenters put into their telling 

 blows. I fancy the squirrel was quick 

 enough to dodge these attacks. He 

 could not have withstood even one of 

 those vicious jabs with that terrible 

 beak, and the brave little fellow not 

 only stood his ground inviting this 

 punishment, but actually assumed the 

 aggressive at times. He was evidently 

 a finished boxer, for he led first with 

 his left and next with his right with 

 such swiftness of attack that he must 

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