A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



ting I made it a practice every day to climb 

 the tree and offer her food. When I had 

 turned the cover back the bird would flutter 

 her wings as young birds do when begging 

 food. But the little wife would take no food 

 from me if her husband was present. She 

 would call to him " chip, chip," and he would 

 hop to me for food. When he got it, he would 

 feed his wife, while she fluttered her wings 

 and acted like a young bird. When eight 

 little chicks thrust up their open bills for 

 food, the parents appeared brimful of joy 

 and happiness. They rushed around in 

 search of food, calling to each other all the 

 time. I climbed the tree one day at noontime. 

 The young birds were full grown. I took 

 one in my hand and the mother said some- 

 thing to me in her language. I thought 

 that she asked me if the bird was old enough 

 to leave the nest. I told her it was, and the 

 sooner they got out the better, for the nest 

 was too small and was hot besides. That 

 noon I went over to Cedar Swamp, and did 

 not return until after sunset. When I had 

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