A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



young birds, and the old birds did not fear 

 him. 



While I was watching a red-eyed vireo's 

 nest last season, I saw a red squirrel run out 

 to the nest, stretch his full length on the limb 

 (it was a very warm day), and look down on 

 to the young birds that were squirming about 

 in their confined quarters. I counted ninety- 

 six before he left, and I did not begin at 

 first. I think he was on the limb fully two 

 minutes. These young vireos were not mo- 

 lested, for I saw them leave the nest when full 

 fledged. 



I have a record of an oven-bird that nested 

 at the foot of a pine-tree which contained a 

 red squirrel's nest. Four young squirrels 

 were reared in a leafy nest in the top of the 

 pine, and three young oven-birds in a domed 

 nest on the ground. 



My experience with the red squirrel has 

 caused me to change my mind, and hereafter 

 I shall hold him innocent until he is proved 

 guilty. 



The red squirrel in this locality is about 

 70 



