242 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



5. Where does the chipmunk make its home? How does it carry 

 away soil from its burrow? How many entrances are there? How is 

 the den arranged inside? Does it hve in the same den the year round? 

 When does it retire to its den in the fall? When does it come out in the 



sprm*^ ? 



6." Does the chipmunk do any damage to crops? What seeds does it 

 distribute? At what time do the little chipmunks appear in the spring? 



7. Observe carefully the different tones of the chipmunk and com- 

 pare its chattering with that of the squirrel. 



Supplementary reading — Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers, John 

 Burroughs; American Animals, Stone and Cram. 



Photo by Verne Morton 

 TJic Eastern Chipmunk. 



TO A CAPTIVE CHIPMUNK OF THE SIERRAS 



Bright little comrade from the ivoods, come show 

 Thy antic cJicer about my sunlit room 

 Of books, that stand in moods of gloom 

 Because thought's tide is out, heart's rhythm is low 

 With weariness. Friendly thou art and know 

 Good friend in me, ivho yet did dare presume 

 To take thee from thy home, thy little doom 

 To make for thee, and longer life bestow. 

 So, thou hast not been eaten by the snake; 

 Thy gentle blood no weasel drank at night; 

 Thou hast not starved 'mid winter's frozen wood. 

 Nor waited vainly for the sun to make 

 Sweet the wild nuts for thee. Yet, little sprite, 

 Thou still doth question if my deed were good? 



— Irene Hardy. 



