SQUIRRELS. 



119 



at the seeds. Heaps of broken scales from cones lying under 

 the trees show how busy the squirrel has been. 



More harm again is done by the squirrel digging-out seeds 

 and cotyledons from the ground, and biting-off cotyledons of 

 the beech in seed-beds and reproduction-areas. It also 



Fig. 34. Spruce-cone stripped of 

 scales by squirrel. 



Fig. 35. Portion of spruce-cone attacked 

 by squirrel. 



uproots young oak-plants to get at the remains of the acorns. 

 Indian squirrels have similar proclivities to the above-men- 

 tioned species and sometimes completely strip trees of their 

 fruit, besides being very destructive to peas, etc., in vegetable- 

 gardens. 



b. Eating Buds and Biting off Twigs. 



As regards buds, the squirrel prefers those of the inflo- 

 rescence, which are richer in nitrogenous substances and more 



