A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



his food, and I thought he would forget his 

 bird friend when the buntings returned in 

 the spring migration, but not so. He knew 

 his friend at once, and chuckled some kind 

 of a greeting, while the bunting said some- 

 thing in bird language that seemed to my ears 

 to express joy. 



The red squirrel is quick-witted and full 

 of resources. If new and unusual conditions 

 confront him he is equal to the occasion. I 

 have had proof of this hundreds of times. 



I will relate one instance: I feed hemp- 

 seed to the birds. The red squirrels and 

 chipmunks are fond of the seed, and unless 

 I stand guard, will manage to get the lion's 

 share. The chipmunks stuff their pouched 

 cheeks, and would carry away a bushel every 

 day if it was fed to them. 



When Tiny is present, no squirrel or chip- 

 munk dares to meddle with the food. He 

 does not molest the birds, and I really think 

 that he knows that the seeds belong to them. 



Last fall I placed a wire netting over a 

 shallow box, so the birds could pick out seeds, 



