MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



him this way, for his is the history I would like 

 to relate to you now, it having a close connection 

 with the earlier chronicle. 



Although this little squirrel is full grown, he 

 is very young, you see; for his face still has the 

 roundness of contour which characterizes extreme 

 youth among squirrels as well as human beings. 

 I recognize him by his great friendliness, also by 

 a peculiarity of tail, general paucity of covering, 

 with a perfectly barren space and a knot-like 

 twist about midway in the caudal appendage. 

 Now he draws nearer, and you are enabled to 

 observe that his nose is slightly damaged; an- 

 other distinguishing mark if farther identifying 

 evidences be needed. 



Do you hear that loud chattering of squirrels 

 overhead? A violent dispute it seems to be, and 

 you note that our little friend has taken alarm 

 and has fled at the angry sounds. Perhaps he 

 recognizes the voice of a certain shrew among the 

 disputants, and thinks it well to avoid an encoun- 

 ter with its vigorous owner. At any rate he has 

 taken himself to the depths of the stump, and 

 there he will probably remain till the stormy 

 discussion is over. - 



Three days after I had rescued the first squir- 

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