A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



his way. Human beings climb trees, when 

 lost, to look for landmarks. Why should we 

 deny to bees and birds the very methods we 

 make use of whenever the occasion requires? 



As to bees, I do know that they circle to find 

 landmarks. After years spent in hunting, 

 or " lining bees," as we call the sport in 

 Maine, I can speak with no uncertain knowl- 

 edge. The power to circle in search of land- 

 marks is limited. If a bee is carried too far 

 from its hive, beyond its power to circle and 

 find landmarks, it is lost and never returns 

 to the hive. I have proved this time after 

 time. The carrier-pigeon's power to circle 

 is a most remarkable feature, but neverthe- 

 less it has its limit. Pigeons that are used for 

 long-distance flight are trained over the whole 

 distance in short flights, so the bird may be- 

 come familiar with landmarks. 



Our dogs and cats that return to us when 

 carried sightless to a distance, may return 

 through the sense of smell. Cape Ann fisher- 

 men tell me that dogs scent the land fifty miles 

 at sea. If we grant to animals the power 

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