8o The Irish Naturalist. August, 



gall " {Cynips Kollari) is frequently bitten through during 

 the winter months (December to March), for the sake, I 

 presume, of a meal at the expense of the imprisoned insect. 

 The almost equally abundant ''flat button gall " (Neu- 

 roterus lenticularis) is licked off from the under-surface of 

 the shsd oak-leaves, for which the Squirrel searches under 

 the trees at mid-winter. And in June the beautiful " cherry- 

 gall " (Cynips quercusjolii) is crunched up where it grows, 

 on the under-side of the fresh leaves. Probably some of 

 the other galls are similarly treated. A lichen that grows on 

 the trunks of oaks is also eaten in May and June, if not at 

 other times also. One cannot, however, regard either the 

 lichens or the galls as capable of affording substantial food 

 in the absence of other fare. 



(6) The Spanish Chestnut. — As might be expected, the 

 Squirrel greatly enjoys the fruit of this tree when he can 

 get it. It is, however, nowhere very abundant, and its crop 

 is, in this country, very uncertain. October is the principal 

 month in which it is available. 



(7) The Maple. — Another tree too scarce to be accorded 

 great importance, but much frequented by Squirrels in 

 October for the sake of its seeds, and in November and 

 December for its buds, which seem to be greatly liked. 



(8) The Hawthorn. — Haws are sometimes eaten in a 

 winter, and would doubtless get larger custom if other and 

 better-liked foods were not so abundant. 



(9) The Yew. — Occasionally a Squirrel indulges in 

 feast of yew-berries. 



(10) The Silver Fir. — Young shoots of this tree are bitten 

 off in early summer (chiefly in June), and some food must be 

 obtained from them. The cones of the Silver Fir are, I 

 think, never eaten. 



The above-named ten are all the forest -trees in which I 

 have any proof that our Co. Wexford Squirrels fed. 



Of the fungi I Vv'ill not say much, as I have little 

 acquaintance with them ; but the}^ are certainly a very 

 substantial part of the Squirrel's fare, especially in Ma}^ and 

 June, and again in September and October. Some that are 

 commonly considered very poisonous, such as the well- 



