THE SQUIRREL. 337 



SQUIRREL SHOOTING. 



In sections of country where Squirrels are numerous and the 

 pursuit of tbem is followed as a sport, they are killed entirely 

 with a small-bored rifle. Our Squirrel Shooters become sur- 

 prisingly 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 Furriers if not perforated 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, at- 

 tended with a Squirrel-Dog, that is, any kind of a terrier, or 

 spaniel mongrel, that has been taught " to tree a Sqtiirrel,''^ or, in 

 other words, to rush about in the woods till they either see a 

 Squirrel run up a tree, or get upon the fresh scent of one that ' 

 has just taken to a tree. The Dog stops at the foot, and, look- ' 

 ing wishfully 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 next thing is 

 to find the Squirrel that, perhaps, is spread flat out on his belly,. ' 

 on one of the topmost branches of the tree, the color of his fur 

 assimilating so closely to that of the bark that it is almost 

 impossible to discover him. In a few moments, however, the ' 

 hawk-eyed Shooter catches a glance of his victim as he moves 

 for an instant to hide himself more securely from observation ; 

 the sharp report of the rifle is heard for a moment resounding 

 afar in the distance, and down tumbles the once frolicsome 

 little Squirrel a lifeless thing. 



When pursued or watched. Squirrels instinctively dodge 

 around the opposite side of the tree occupied by the Sports- 

 man, and, by perseveringly pursuing this course, will often 

 baffle the Shooter, till his patience becomes entirely exhausted ; 

 it is, therefore, always better to go in company, when Squirrel- 

 Shooting is the sport, so that either yourself or companion 

 may contrive to get sight of every one that takes to a tree. 

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