512 ANNUAL EEPOET SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 2 8 



far as I have observed, when a squirrel is storing a number of things 

 consecutively it takes them to two, or more, of these hoards alternately. 



In the case of both cones and nuts the squirrel cuts them from the 

 trees just before they are fully ripe. This is necessary in the case of 

 most cones (the main exception being those of the hemlock) as the 

 seeds are shed as soon as fully mature, but the same necessity does not 

 exist in the case of nuts. But as Seton says in speaking of the cutting- 

 down of chestnuts before they are fully ripe : " The explanation lies 

 in the fact that the red squirrel has been evolved to prey on the seeds 

 of conifers. If these are left to ripen fully they take unto themselves 

 wings and fly away, whereas by cutting the cone just before it opens 

 the squirrel makes sure of the prize." 



Bell (1898) says, in connection with the harvesting of the cones of 

 the white spruce in the north : 



Tbeir mode of obtaining a supply of cones is ingenious. Tlie cones grow 

 principally at the tops of the spruce trees, and the largest and finest are always 

 to be found there. The Chickaree selects a tree which, either because of the 

 steepness and density of its upper parts, or because of its leaning to one side, 

 makes it certain that the cones, if detached, will fall to the ground ; then he 

 cuts off the heavily-laden branches and lets them drop. This is done with an 

 impatient rapidity. These branches seldom lodge in the branches below, but 

 should a squirrel on his way down notice one of them in a hopeful position 

 toward the extremity of a bough, he will sometimes run out and give it a second 

 send off. 



Professor J. N. Gowanloch informs me that at Gimli, Manitoba, the 

 red squirrels in August cut the green cones of the balsam {A. bal- 

 samea). A single squirrel to a tree would spend three hours or more 

 cutting off cones and then in the afternoon would carry off the cones 

 and deposit them in holes under the roots of trees. 



Speaking of squirrels harvesting the cones oi the white pine Cram 

 (1901) says: 



They begin work late in July, while the cones are still green and solid with the 

 seeds embedded near the center. In the hot July sunshine they hurry at their 

 work, cutting off the cones and tossing them over their shoulders well out beyond 

 the surrounding branches to the ground. Whenever the cone of the twig that 

 supports it is cut or scarred, a drop of glistening, transparent sap oozes forth, 

 turing on exposure to the air to the most tenacious kind of pitch ; and it is truly 

 wonderful that the squirrels can manage to keep themselves so clean while en- 

 gaged in their harvesting. But the majority of them show hardly a trace of 

 pitch, though now and then you will run across one with little wisps of fur 

 stuck together, especially about the face and neck and in the longer hairs of his 

 tail, evidently having been particularly unfortunate or careless in his work. 

 Every little while they descend to the ground to bury the cones they have cut 

 off, two or three in a place, covered with pine needles to a depth of several 

 Inches. 



Audubon and Bachman (1846) say: "The quantity of nuts and 

 seeds it often lays up in its storehouses is almost incredible. On one 

 occasion we were present when a bushel and a half of shellbarks 



