SQUIRRELS. 



121 



to the ground, Probably the female inflorescence-buds are 



eaten as well, and very few cones are formed on trees 



where squirrels have lived during the winter. Silver-lir is 



also sirailarl}^ attacked. 



« In the summer also, shoots of various 



lengths up to 8 inches are bitten off spruce 



trees by the squirrel and gnawed, as at tliis 



time there are no seeds or buds to eat. 



c. Peeling and Girdling. 



Tlie peeling and girdling of young plants 

 of larch, Scots pine and silver-fir, also of 

 beech, hornbeam, aspen, willows and oak 

 have been noticed, and are becoming serious 

 in Britain. Plants fifteen to thirty years 



Figs. 38 and 39.— Spiral girdlings of Scots 

 pine by squirrel. 



Fig. 40.— Girdling of 

 Scots pine bv squir- 

 rel (j). 



