128 PROTECTION OF AFFORESTED AREAS 



configuration of the ground making it a more 

 laborious process for the men to get about in. In 

 such areas, however, it will be essential that the hare 

 should be kept down to reasonable numbers. 



The Squirrel, though the fact is probably un- 

 known to many people, can, when numerous, do 

 great damage to coniferous trees, especially the 

 Scots Pine. It gnaws the bark of the branches 

 in a spiral manner, killing them and eventually 

 completely distorting the shape of the trees and 

 stopping their growth. In some districts woods 

 have been completely ruined by squirrels alone. 

 In such areas they can only be kqpt down. by con- 

 stant killing over wide areas. 



Protection against Bird Pests 



Amongst these pests, Black-game in some parts 

 of the country, and those in which the largest of the 

 aiforesta'tion schemes must be undertaken, comes a 

 good first, and as a pest to young coniferous trees 

 is second only to the rabbit. Black-game are not 

 yet classed as vermin. They are still protected 

 by the Game Laws and classed as game. A drastic 

 change in this respect will require to be made if 

 afforestation is to have any real chance in the parts 

 of the country where they abound. And even with 

 this change in their status they are likely to prove 

 very difficult to d^l with. They cannot be fenced 

 out like rabbits, and will fly miles to young newly 

 planted areas when green food is scarce in winter 

 and early spring. They feed on the buds of young 

 trees, especially the terminal bud, and trees so 



