356 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



THEIR ENEMIES. 



The whole tribe of squirrels, like the more timid and defenceless 

 hare, have a host of enemies constantly on the look-out to make 

 them their prey. 



The fox, weasel, wild cat, and mink, are ever on the prowl, and 

 ready to pounce upon the active little squirrel whenever they can 

 secure him by stratagem or pursuit ; the weasel is ever on the alert, 

 and, following his victims into their otherwise secure retreats, at- 

 tacks them with the most sanguinary spirit, and soon dispatches 

 the anxious parent as well as her tender and unconscious litter, 

 impelled alone to such savage deeds by an unquenchable thirst for 

 blood, for he seldom partakes of but a small portion of that which 

 he so wantonly destroys. 



Several varieties of hawks, owls, and even snakes, capture 

 squirrels, and prey upon their young. 



SQUIRREL-SHOOTING. 



In sections of country where squirrels are numerous and the pur- 

 suit of them is followed as a sport, they are killed entirely with a 

 small-bored rifle. Our squirrel-shooters become surprisingly expert 

 in the use of this weapon, and perform some wonderful feats with 

 it during the squirrel season ; they always aim for the head, so as 

 not to injure the skin, which is valuable to the furrier if not per- 

 forated with a ball. It is seldom that they miss a squirrel, even 

 when hiding in the topmost branches of our tallest forest-trees. 

 In portions of country where they are not so numerous, it is 

 necessary to repair to the woods attended with a squirrel-dog, 

 that is, any kind of a terrier or spaniel mongrel which has been 

 taught "to tree a squirrel," or, in other words, to rush about in 

 the woods till he either sees a squirrel run up a tree or gets upon 

 the fresh scent of one that has just taken to a tree. The dog 

 stops at the foot, and, looking wistfully and knowingly up the 

 tree, breaks forth into an incessant and musical bark that resounds 

 through the woods and soon brings the huntsman to his side. The 



