A SPORTSAfAN IN FUR. 13 



ence does it make, as to a desirable situation, 

 from which side you look at it. 



The principal inhabitant presented himself 

 before we were fairly seated, a chipmunk, who 

 came out of his snug door under the roots of a 

 maple-tree and sat up on his doorstep — one of 

 the roots — to make his morning toilet, dress his 

 sleek fur, scent the sweet fresh air, and enjoy 

 himself generally. In due time he ran down to 

 the little brook before the door, and then started 

 out, evidently after something to eat ; and he 

 went nosing about on the ground with a thor- 

 oughness to make a bird-lover shudder, for what 

 ground bird's nest could escape him ! 



I recognize the fact that, from his point of 

 view, chipmunks must live, and why should they 

 not have eggs for breakfast? Doubtless, in 

 squirrel philosophy, it is a self-evident truth 

 that birds were created to supply the tables of 

 their betters in fur, and the pursuit of eggs and 

 nestlings adds the true sportsman's zest to the 

 enjoyment of them. So long, therefore, as the 

 law that " might makes right " prevails in higher 

 quarters, we are forced to acknowledge, however 

 grudgingly, his " right " to his game ; but for all 

 that I should like exceedingly to protect it from 

 him. 



I could not long keep a bird-lover studying a 

 chipmunk. In a few minutes we started again 



