6o The Flying Squirrel 



they catch sleeping birds and also destroy eggs and 

 fledgelings. By reason of this taste they have proved 

 themselves to be quite a source of annoyance to trap- 

 pers, destroying the bait intended for larger game, 

 springing the traps, and of course many times being 

 caught. Because of this interference trappers some- 

 times attempt to reduce the number of flying squirrels 

 on the route along which they intend to trap during 

 the fall and winter. This is done just before the 

 trapping season opens, two trappers usually hunting 

 together. One is armed with a heavy club, and the 

 other with a shot gun. They go over the course 

 searching for trees and old stubs that are likely to 

 contain flying squirrels. When a suspicious looking 

 cavity is observed the hunter with the gun stands 

 ready, while the one with the heavy club strikes 

 vigorously upon the butt of the tree. If the cavity 

 is the home of a flying squirrel, it is quickly 

 made known by his appearing at the entrance 

 of the cavity, and frisking out upon the trunk of 

 the tree, where he is easily shot by the hunter 

 in waiting. Sometimes as many as six have been 

 killed in as many minutes, all coming from one 

 cavity. 



Although the flying squirrels cause the trappers 

 many a weary tramp, they all agree that these little 



