A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



we became acquainted. She was made a widow 

 by a prowling cat during the summer of 1896- 

 The next spring she returned with a second 

 husband. This newcomer resented any famili- 

 arity on my part. He seemed to think that 

 I was too inquisitive, and made a great fuss 

 every time he found me near the nest. Fre- 

 quently my little friend would fly at him and 

 drive him away. She tried to make him un- 

 derstand that I was a welcome guest, but he 

 never took kindly to my presence. In return 

 I thought him most ungrateful, for I had 

 killed one cat and two snakes to protect his 

 family. 



My little friend holds my dooryard and 

 immediate vicinity against all other chestnut- 

 sided warblers. If some other bird of the same 

 species starts a nest, the little squatter tyrant 

 drives the interloper away. She claims sway 

 over a circle about 200 feet in diameter, 

 with my cabin for a centre. Catbirds, towhee- 

 buntings and oven-birds and two ruffed grouse 

 have nested on this claim, but for eleven 



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