214 MAMMALIA. 



of the trees ; or, if he thinks them here too exposed, carries them 

 directly to some hollow log or stump. Later in the season, when 

 the mast is fully ripe, and the danger from mould is past, he fills the 

 hollows of the limbs and trees about his nest, and often secretes 

 reserve hoards in his burrows in the earth. In the evergreen 

 forests he lays up large supplies of cones. I have seen him, even 

 before the middle of September, engaged in gathering those of the 

 white pine (Finns strobus]. At this early date he cuts the yet green 

 cones from the branches, and, when a sufficient number have fallen, 

 takes them to some hiding-place to ripen for his winter's fare. He 

 eats the little buds that may be found scattered sparingly along the 

 small branches of the spruce, and, in order to obtain them easily, 

 bites off the terminal twigs and drags them back where the limb is 

 large enough to allow him to sit comfortably on his haunches while 

 feeding. Under single trees, both in the great forest and on our own 

 lawn, I have found enough twig.-- to fill a bushel basket. The injury 

 thus done is sometimes very extensive. 



He is fond of a variety of fruits, and sometimes commits great 

 havoc in the apple orchard. From his liking for mushrooms some 

 would consider him an epicure, but in whatever light we regard 

 this taste, it is a droll spectacle to see him drag a large " toadstool " 

 to one of his storehouses. If the " umbrella" happens to catch on 

 some stick or log and is broken from the stem, as is frequently the 

 case, he is pretty sure to scold and sputter for a while, and then 

 take the pieces separately to their destination. 



Throughout the first half of June I have often observed a family 

 of Red Squirrels feeding upon the Vinged seeds of a red or swamp 

 maple (Acer rubruwi), directly in front of my office window. 

 They rarely came during the day, but in the evening both parents 

 and five young were frequently seen on the tree at one time, and 

 they commonly remained till it was so dark that I could no longer 

 discern their outlines. In reaching clown from the slender twigs 

 to the drooping clusters of fruit they sometimes slipped and seemed 



