Living together, like it or not : an introduction -- Prospect and refuge : sandburs -- The barkings of a joyful squirrel : gray squirrel -- Murmurations : European starling -- The natural history of proteus : Pfiesteria piscicida -- Blood : the Tabanids--deerflies and horseflies -- A foot in the door : the fungi -- The creature with nineteen lives : common opossum -- The riddles of the sphinx : hornworms -- Legs : centipedes -- Heritage : kudzu -- The wisdom of nature : brown-headed cowbird -- The dew lovers : Drosophila fruit flies -- Unfinished business : Homo sapiens.