A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



time had understood that food and a welcome 

 awaited his return. 



That spring the sparrows lingered about 

 my dooryard three weeks or more, and then 

 dispersed to the neighboring fields and pas- 

 tures, for the song-sparrow does not nest in 

 the woods. Wabbles did not leave with the 

 rest, and when spring merged into summer 

 and he yet remained, I understood the reason. 

 The male song-sparrow is obliged to do battle 

 for the possession of a mate, and Wabbles, 

 with his tender wing, wisely forbore to enter 

 the lists. He preferred the cool woods and 

 free food to the sun-scorched fields and a mate- 

 less life. 



Wabbles and I became fast friends. He was 

 constantly hopping about the dooryard, and 

 was always on hand to greet me whenever I 

 returned from town. 



I slept in the open air in a hammock, with 

 only a canvas roof to keep off the rain, and 

 Wabbles made it his business to awake me at 

 daylight. The little rogue pursued the same 

 method each morning. He would hop about 

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