12

Concord, Mass.
1916
April 4
to
July 9

Gray Squirrels.

  Gray Squirrels were less numerous than usual early in the
season and towards its close they disappeared for the most part,
having reared, I think, comparatively few young. Several that
frequented the immediate neighborhood of our farm house
devoted themselves rather constantly in May and early June
to what looked suspiciously like a systematic quest for
birds' nests, especially in orchard trees. That the Robins
so regarded it could not be doubted for they were frequently
seen chasing the Squirrels through the orchard, with excited
clamor which has not often happened in former years.
Moreover very many of their nests, together with those of
other birds, were despoiled of eggs or young about this time.
Although I suspect that many if not most of these
depredations must have been committed by Gray Squirrrels
the only positive proof of such guilt on their part