INTELLIGENCE OP SQUIRRELS. 187 



total or partial exclusion of other food-resources, is so great that it may be said that the area in which 

 the Chickaree lives principally on the seeds of these trees, furms more than half of the total range of 

 the species, so that, taken as a whole, these seeds really constitute their leading article of food. 



In old spruce forests in the north, the Chickaree is quite numerous, and almost every tempting 

 log or hummock which commands a clear view all around (from which he can watch the approach of 

 enemies while feeding) is covered with the scales of the numerous cones he has picked to pieces in 

 order to get at the seeds. They evidently thrive on this diet, for their size and numbers, as well as 

 their activity and audacity, are unabated. 



Habits.— Their mode of obtaining a supply of cones is ingenioiis. The cones grow principally 

 at the tops of the spruce trees, and the largest and lincst are always to bo found there. The Chickaree 

 selects a tree which, either from the steepness and density of its upper part or from its leaning to 

 one side, makes it certain that the cones, if detaciied, will fall to the ground; then he cuts otf the 

 heavily laden twigs and lets them drop. This is done with an impatient rapidity. Should a person 

 be sitting quietly under a tree while one of these busy little creatures is at work at the top, he will 

 see the bunches of cones come tumbling down in such quick succession, that he might suppose half- 

 a-dozen squirrels were at work instead of only one industrious little fellow. These bunches seldom 

 lodge in the branches below, but should the squirrel on his way down (after having cut off a satis- 

 factory supply) notice one of tlieni arrested in a hopeful position towards the extremity of a bough, 

 he will sometimes run out and give it a second send-off. In climbing tall spruce trees for observ- 

 ations of the surrounding country, I have often noticed bunches of cones lodged, where, if started 

 off a second time, they would be certain to catch again in the thick branches before reaching the 

 ground. The squirrels seem to understand the situation perfectly, and they leave such bunches to 

 their fate, probably arguing that it would be easier for them to cut ott' fresh ones than to trouble 

 themselves further about property lost beyond hope of profitable recovery— a piece of wisdom 

 which the most successful business men have also learned to follow. The Chickaree, having 

 thrown down a sufHcient stock for a few days' use, proceeds to carry them, as required, to his favorite 

 feeding-place, near by. I have occasionally noticed a squirrel feeding with a fresh cone lying beside 

 the one he was actually dining off, as if it were waiting to be attacked the moment he got through 

 with the first. They peel ofi' the scales in succession, and nibble out the seeds with great rapidity. 

 They leave their stock lying about under the tree, and only carry otf one or two cones at a time. A 

 little drying causes the scales to gape, and so facilitates the opening process. 



In the northern regions referred to, in addition to spruce seeds, the chickaree appears to feed a 

 good deal on certain brownish, mushroom-shaped fungi. These they seem to prefer in a partially 

 dried or decomposed condition, for they cany them up and leave them for a time on the flat, spread- 

 ing branches on the sunny sides of spruce or other fii- trees. I have sometimes seen one of them 

 making off with a fungus nearly as large as his own body. 



CoNSTANOT OF CHARACTER.— No matter where you meet the Chickaree in the north country, he 

 has precisely the same peculiarities of habit as elsewhere. In the depths of a dark spruce forest, 

 which offers no temptations for a visit from even the few human inhabitants of these regions, and 

 which it is pretty certain have never before been trodden by the foot of man, should you come sud- 

 denly upon a Chickaree, he greets you with the same saucy familiarity as he would if you disturbed 

 him in a black walnut tree on the borders of Lake Erie. After scolding the intruder, with his 

 head peeping round the trunk of a tree, should you throw a stick at him, or make a feint to run to 

 the side he is on, he will merely dodge you to the other side and get up a little higher before recon- 

 noitering you again. 



Wintering. — In the northern regions under consideration, the Chickaree appears to pass the 

 coldest par of the winter in nests in hollows under stumps, or in fallen trees, and the Indians say 



