The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-26
BATTLE IN A PARK TREE.
5quirrels Driven Out of Their Nest by High.
holes, After Hot Fighting.
New York Sun,

Any one VINO Walks through the SeF-
enty-second street gate on the west side
of Central Park these days may see an
old man sitting on bench not far from
the entrance. The old man has been in
the same place since the beginning Of
Spring. He nerer takes his eyes from the
top of n tall maple tree which stands a
few yards away.
\ young man asked him the other day
why he WAS so much interested in the ma
pie tree. The old man told this story:
Some years ago | retired from bust
ness. ! live in that big house which you
see directly across on the opposite side of
the Park. | find more enjoyment in com
ing into the Park and watching the ami
mails and studying natures work, than in
anything else.
Some three months ago | made the
acquaintance of two little squirrels. 1t
wasn't long before they got to know me
well and would eat ont of my hand. The
little animals would let no one else touch
them.
Il saw those squirrels build their nest
in 4 hole at the top of that maple tree.
Now you may not believe it, but there
are very few trees in this Park that are
decaycd As soon as n limb or the trunk
Of tree begins to rot the tree is either
cut down or the decayod limb is sawed off.
That hole WAS fine SPOT for nest
for those squirrels-my squirrels, | used
to call them-and day after day ! saw
them gather leaves and other things for
their nest. They were apparently just as
happy as could be until about two weeks
ago.
lone day I saw two highholes fly into
that tree. The higihole, as you know.
is a woodpecker Their bills are not
strong enough to dig into n solid tree and
they make their nest in trees that are
decayed.
These hichholes We're mating. That
was plainly evident. They saw this hole.
and it seemed TO me that they immediate
ly decided that was the right spot for
them.
But the squirrels had possession Of the
hole and how were the highholeS going to
eject them? They weren't long in com
ing to n decision on that piDnt. They de
cided to fight for if, and they did.
My boy. it was a terrific battle. The
highholes flew mt the squirrels and they
fought in that hole and out of it. the air
resounding with the sounds Of their strife.
1t was an even battle for mt least FIVE min
utes
Then one of the highholes with a
mighty sweep stuck his bill straight into
the back of one of the squirrels. just be-
hind the head The power of the blow
WIS 80 great lHit tue S'iUlITFi y Ddch
must have been broken, for the little ami
NAL just Strengthened out and dropped
lifeless to the ground.
His companion dead. the other squir-
rel deserted the nest. and the i.:ghholes
with cries Of triumph went in and took
possession. But then a strange thing hap
pened.
Not over 10 minutes had elapsed be
fore the squirrel came back bringing along
another squirrel. | soon discovered that
he squirrel whose companion had been
killed in the fight had gone ont and taken
up with another squirrel and the two We're
returning TO fight for the nest that had
been seized by the highholes.
''They climbed up the tree, but the
highholes were on the alert and ready for
another battle. The highholes held their
ground. fought sayagely and routed the
squirrels. But not until one of them-the
one that had been in the first fsht-was
bleeding from several cuts on the back.
'.,rhe squirrels didn't go very far away
They stopped near the tree over there
and seemed to be planning another at
tack. l guess they had had enough for
that day, however, and / saw them wan
der off very disconsolate.
II waited all that day to see them re-
turn. They didn't.
Il have about given up hope that they
will return. The highholes have been hav-
ing n very happy time. and while | have
been watching them three or four little
highhOles have appeared.
Now that story may not interest you
bit, but il has me. There are tragedies
in the animal world just as there are
among ourselves"