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stripping the scaly coating from the cones of the fir, to get at the 

 winged seeds, upon which at certain seasons he largely depends for 

 a supply of food. In hard weather my children were accustomed 

 to feed the little birds, which soon collected about the premises 

 when pressed by hunger. By and bye the squirrel came for his 

 share of the good things. Finding himself protected from any 

 annoyance, "Connie," for so we called him, became pleasantly 

 famiHar, and would jump about the threshold, and fearlessly trip 

 up the steps that led into the outer kitchen, encouraged at times 

 by a few grains of Indian corn left specially for him. These he 

 would pick up, and springing upon the garden wall, or running a 

 few feet up the stem of a fine oak tree that grew close to the door, 

 would seat himself upon his haunches, and with tail erect would 

 nibble away at his prize, holding it between his fore paws. The 

 children were not slow in discovering that a crust of bread was 

 greatly relished by their pet, or that the outer skin of a hard baked 

 potatoe was a special delicacy ; and great was their delight to see 

 him mount to his chosen perch, and there complacently munch 

 away at the dainties with which they had provided him. As spring 

 advanced he was joined by a mate of the same species. Growing 

 bolder in company, the two would sometimes unite in driving away 

 the little birds, or even the larger poultry, when the latter chanced 

 to be without the protection of the cock, who alone seemed to 

 exercise a wholesome degree of terror over them. From his 

 assaults they could however secure immediate freedom, as well as 

 from the attacks of stray dogs or cats, by taking refuge among the 

 branches of the oak above mentioned ; and many an amusing 

 incident such hasty retreats gave rise to, as the active little creatures 

 would peer with an air of scornful complacency at their bafifled 

 pursuers on terra firma. When provisions abounded, and their 

 appetites were satiated, they would form numerous little hoards of 

 provisions in an adjoining wood, usually not far from the stem of 

 some tree that afforded a ready refuge in case of any interruption 

 to their task of concealment. Many a time have I watched them 

 while questing for such stores, when the ground was covered with 

 snow. They would cross and recross each other's track, quartering 



