142 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 
by the actions of captives to be mentioned 
presently; but if so it- presents a curious 
anomaly to the rule, for it is certain that the 
large northern species, although dwelling in 
much colder regions, where proper food is ap- 
parently scarcer, does neither, but goes abroad 
every evening, no matter how severe may be 
the cold, to get its subsistence, and fares well. 
The young are born in early spring, and when 
about six weeks old begin to appear at the door 
of their house, playing about like kittens under 
the watchful care of their mother. 
‘*And what a lovely little mother she is! She 
takes the greatest care of them from the time they 
are born. She tucks them under her, pulls the cedar 
bark over them and blocks up the entrance on cold 
days 1o keep them warm. If you put your finger 
into the hole she will rake all the babies out of harm’s 
way with her front paws, and then with her nose she 
will make a determined effort to push your finger 
out of the hole again. Failing in that, she will not 
bite you, as a red squirrel would have done at the 
beginning, but she will probably take your finger 
gently in her teeth, as though to ask you please to 
be a gentleman and refrain from causing her any 
further annoyance. 
‘‘Hiven if you remove the young ones ae the nest 
she will not bite you, but she will come out after 
