146 The Gray Squirrel 



You walk around a tree on which you saw a squirrel 

 a moment before, and you set in motion squirrels about 

 you; they move as you move, keeping ever a tree 

 trunk or a limb between you and them. If you are 

 accustomed to the ways of wood folk, you will sit down 

 and keep your eyes and ears open. In the stillness 

 you will detect, after a little time, a slight shaking of 

 the leaves, or catch a glimpse of a gray shadowy 

 coat now flecked by the sun, but almost invisible 

 against the moss and bark of the maples. These 

 shadows are the squirrels, furtively seeking their 

 retreats. You may be resting under a tree in which 

 there is a wary old gray squirrel, still some distance 

 from his home. Do not for a moment think that he 

 will leave the protection of the large limb on which 

 he is reclining, and expose himself to view. There 

 he will lie for hours until, weary in well- watching, you 

 leave him that you may seek some less wise one. 



During the remainder of the morning and until late 

 afternoon, the squirrels stay in their homes. Then 

 they are out again for their evening meal, but without 

 the same joyousness with which they greet the dawn. 



An early morning hour with the gray squirrels is 

 as fascinating as it is to surprise them upon their 

 return from the old orchard. It requires a morning 

 with a heavy dew and absolutely without a breeze. 



