76 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE 
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 hammock 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. 
Hasits.—Their mode of obtaining a supply of cones is 
ingenious. The cones grow principally at the tops of the 
spruce trees, and the largest and finest are always to be 
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 
detached, will fall to the ground; then he cuts off 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 satisfactory supply), notice one 
of them 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 observations 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 reach- 
ing 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 off fresh 
ones than to trouble themselves further about property lost be- 
yond 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 sufficient stock for a few 
days’ use, proceeds to carry them, as required, to his 
favourite 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 
