60 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



The Mulberry 



MORUS RUBRA, L. 



The old mulberry tree that stood in the corner of the woods, 

 alongside of the ancient rail fence, was a favorite feeding 

 place for many creatures that lived in the woods. Early in 

 the morning came the graceful and active gray squirrels run- 

 ning along the rails of the fence to the tree, each one eager to 

 make its breakfast on the luscious fruit, so intent on getting 

 it that they frequently exposed themselves in a most reckless 

 manner to the gunner, often with fatal results. Many nice, 

 young squirrels have I secured by laying in wait within easy 

 shot range of the old tree. These young squirrels were the 

 most delicious morsels when broiled or fried. The old ones 

 were tough and more rank of flavor. A host of birds, such 

 as jays, catbirds, robins, grackles, thrushes, red-headed wood- 

 peckers and other fruit-eating species, also made frequent 

 visits to the tree, and fairly reveled in the sweet, juicy fruit, 

 always returning at intervals during the day to eat until satis- 

 fied. At night another group of creatures — raccoons, opos- 

 sums, skunks, woodchucks and various mice came to share the 

 treat old Mother Nature had so bountifully provided. The 

 surplus decaying fruit that dropped to the ground furnished 

 food for a myriad of insects — bees, wasps, flies and beetles — 

 who were there as long as a vestige of fruit remained. With 

 what unerring certainty these varied creatures know when the 

 fruit is ripe ! It was rare that the mulberry tree failed to pro- 

 duce an abundant crop, and in seasons when other fruits were 

 killed by late frosts, the hardy mulberry withstood their de- 

 structive influences and produced its crop as usual. An exam- 

 ination of the droppings of these creatures show how com- 

 pletely their food consists of mulberries at this season of the 

 year — almost to the exclusion of everything- else — and it also 

 shows how the seeds are scattered through the woods, and 

 accounts for the numerous mulberry trees springing up in all 

 suitable places. 



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