3f)6 



beiTies, fruits, roots, seeds, buds, certain liinds of ten- 

 der fungi, as well as other plants, and sometimes, it is 

 said, even catch insects, he is deeidedlT carnivorous in 

 his tastes. 



Trappers despise him because he steals meat with 

 which they bait their traps; and he does much mis- 

 chief by destroying birds which nest in forest and 

 shade trees where he loves to live, propagate and dep- 

 redate. He is often seen in the apple or pear cicliards 

 destroying fiuit or robbing nests. I have several 

 times seen this noisy and agile marauder devouring 

 birds of different species. Robins, Flickers, Vireos, 

 Wilson's Thrush, AA'ood Thrush, Oat bird and several 

 kinds of Span'ows, as well as C'ther species of song 

 birds are victims of this Squirrel's attacks. Tlie able 

 and venerable Mr. John burroughs gives the sprightly 

 ;iud wicked Mr. Sciuius a "knock-out" blow in the fol- 

 lowing language: 



"Nearly all the birds look upon it as their enemy and attack 

 and annoy it when it appears near their breeding haunts. Thus, 

 I have seen the Pewee, the Cuckoo, the Robin and the "Wood 

 Thrush pursuing: it with angry voice and gestures. If you wish 

 the birds to breed and thrive in your orchards and srroves, kill 

 every Red Squirrel that infests the place." 



ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM. 



Many testimonials of the Rod Squirrel devouring 

 native birds, and destroying — "cutting off" — growing 

 fruit, particularly pears and apples, have come to this 

 office. The impudent and frolicsome Red Squirrel also 

 sucks the eggs of biids of many species: among game 

 birds the Ruffed Grouse sutlers often from his visits, 

 for he spends much time on the ground. 



Mr. James Carnes, Clearfield, Pa., writes: 



"The Pine Squirrel, which is so common in our woods, is one 

 of the worst pests, as he destroys so many ph-^asants' eggs." 



