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 hummock 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. 



HABITS. 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 f eeding-placrc, 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 



