BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



well, and so are likely to be kept in check. 

 Wherever they occur they destroy some bird 

 enemies. 



The red squirrel is one of the chief of four- 

 footed menaces to bird life in cultivated lands. 

 They have been seen devouring both eggs and 

 nestlings. Nearly all red squirrels seem to be 

 bird-nesters. The nests of all small birds, es- 

 pecially those that nest in hollow trees, are at 

 their mercy. Some squirrels deliberately 

 watch the birds to learn where the nests are. 

 Here at the farm they have been known to 

 gnaw the entrance of a wren box until they 

 could enter and devour the eggs. After this 

 tin was put round the openings of the wren 

 boxes, or the trees protected by tin on which 

 the nest boxes were hung. One of the first 

 duties of a Sanctuary owner is to rid the 

 grounds of the red squirrel. 



[177] 



