OF WILD ANIMALS 239 



the tree-trunk as if they were on the ground, with no such thing 

 in sight as the law of gravitation. 



It seems to me that the gray squirrel barks and the red 

 squirrel chatters, scolds, and at times swears, chiefly for the 

 fun of hearing himself make a noise. In the red squirrel it is 

 impudent and defiant; and usually you hear it near your camp, 

 or in your own grounds, where the rascals know that they will 

 not be shot. 



The playful spirit seems to be inherent in the young of all 

 the Felidae. The playfulness of lion, tiger, leopard and puma 

 cubs is irresistibly pleasing; and it is worth while to rear 

 domestic kittens in oidet to watch their playful antics. 



I have been assured by men who seemed to know, that wolf 

 and fox cubs silently play in front of their home dens, when 

 well screened from view, just as domestic dog puppies do; and 

 what on earth can beat the playfulness of puppies of the right 

 kind, whose parents have given them red blood instead of fat 

 as their inheritance. Interesting books might be written about 

 the play of dogs alone. 



The play of the otter, in sliding down a long and steep 

 toboggan slide of wet and slippery earth to a water plunge at 

 the bottom, is well known to trappers, hunters, and a few 

 naturalists. It is quite celebrated, and is on record in many 

 places. I have seen otter slides, but never had the good luck 

 to see one in use. The otters indulge in this very genuine 

 sport with just as much interest and zest as boys develop in 

 coasting over ice and snow with their sleds. 



Here at the Zoological Park, young animals of a number 

 of species amuse themselves in the few ways that are open to 

 them. It is a common thing for fawns and calves of various 

 kinds to butt their mothers, just for fun. A more common form 

 of infantile ruminant sport is racing and jumping. Now and 

 then we see a red buffalo calf three or four months old suddenly 

 begin a spell of running for amusement, in the pure exuberance 



