THE SQUIRREL PEST IN INVERNESS-SHIRE. 47 



trees with the top lying on the ground. That was more 

 particularly noticeable after a gale of wind. In nearly every 

 case it was the result of squirrel damage in past years, 

 owing to the timber drying up at the particular part or parts 

 where the bark had been nibbled off. What they might term 

 the peeling period, or, in other words, the time of year when 

 damage was done, was from April, when the sap ascended, 

 until well into June and even July. The results of squirrels' 

 activities were easily noticed. Strips of bark, 3 to 4 inches long 

 and J-inch broad, were seen lying here and there under trees 

 which had been attacked. They were all, no doubt, as familiar 

 with the nature of the damage and its after effects as he was, 

 and he would not waste their time further on that point, but 

 would now endeavour to give some hints as to the best means 

 to employ in the destruction of the animals. Squirrels were 

 very elusive creatures, and no haphazard methods need be 

 attempted in order to destroy them. 



To his knowledge there were only two effective means, 

 namely, shooting and trapping. Shooting was undoubtedly 

 the best means, provided they adopted the proper methods. 

 Now they all agreed that squirrels ought to be classified as 

 vermin, hence there was no close season for killing them. As 

 already stated the period during which the damage was done 

 was from April to July, and during that time every effort should 

 be made on the part of the keeper to keep squirrels in check 

 and reduce their numbers as much as possible. Assuming he 

 had an area say of 1000 acres to guard, the keeper, should he 

 have been a few years on that particular beat, would know 

 from experience on which part squirrel damage was to be 

 expected. The parts with a southern or warm exposure were 

 most liable to attack in the first instance. At that early stage 

 a good number might be secured by sitting in wait on a calm 

 day during early morning and late afternoon, when they might 

 be heard at work 50 to 100 yards away. The utmost precaution 

 in the way of quietness was necessary in stalking them, as the 

 least movement betrayed the presence of the stalker, and 

 probably the result would be he would not even get a glimpse 

 of his quarry, as squirrels would remain perfectly stationary for 

 a considerable time if once alarmed by any unusual sound. They 

 could depend that the keeper's patience would be fir^t exhausted. 

 The Ustening-in process being undoubtedly rather trying they 



