THE CHIPMUNK 31 



fun, as what squirrel has not ? I have watched 

 two red squirrels for a half hour coursing through 

 the large trees by the roadside where branches 

 interlocked, and engaged in a game of tag as 

 obviously as two boys. As soon as the pursuer 

 had come up with the pursued, and actually 

 touched him, the palm was his, and away he 

 would go, taxing his wits and his speed to the 

 utmost to elude his fellow. 



I have observed that any unusual disturbance 

 in the woods, near where the chipmunk has his 

 den, will cause him to shift his quarters. One 

 October, for many successive days, I saw one 

 carrying into I'lis hole buckwheat which he had 

 stolen from a near field. The hole was only a 

 few rods from where we were getting out stone, 

 and as our work progressed, and the racket and 

 uproar increased, the chipmunk became alarmed. 

 He ceased carrying in, and after much hesitating 

 and darting about, and some prolonged absences, 

 he began to carry out ; he had determined to 

 move ; if the mountain fell, he, at least, would 

 be away in time. So, by mouthfuls or cheek- 

 f uls, the grain was transferred to a new place. 

 He did not make a " bee " to get it done, but 

 carried it all himself, occupying several days, 

 and making a trip about every ten minutes. 



