FIELD AND STUDY 



The chipmunk is a ground-dweller and a worker 

 in soils, but no tree-dweller is more bright and tidy. 

 His tail is as clean and perfect as if it had never been 

 whisked in and out of a hole in the ground times 

 w^ithout number. He carries it so deftly and grace- 

 fully when he makes a dive for his hole that appar- 

 ently not a hair of it ever comes in contact with the 

 soil. You are not surprised to see his face so clean, 

 because he is washing it on all occasions. His sani- 

 tary regulations in his den also seem to be wisely 

 looked after. He stores up nothing that would fer- 

 ment or mildew — only dry-cured food. He will eat 

 the green corn that you give him and add the dry 

 kernels to his winter stores. 



At my summer home in the Catskills, called 

 Woodchuck Lodge, I cultivate friendship with the 

 chipmunks, but rather frown upon the red squirrels, 

 which are much more aggressive and destructive 

 about the orchards and farm buildings. Besides, 

 they are so impish and defiant that they do not win 

 your heart as do the chipmunks. 



The red squirrels and the gray come and go, but 

 the gentle chipmunk we always have with us. He 

 loves the open country, where the stone fences give 

 him lines of communication. He has a curious habit, 

 when he sees or hears a wagon or car coming, of 

 suddenly running across the road in front of it. I can 

 offer no explanation of this behavior unless it be 

 that the apparent hazard of such a dash affords him 



142 



