70 
BULLETIN OF WISCONSIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VOL. 2. NO. 1. 
the conslusion that a good year for beechnuts means a good year 
for red-heads and squirrels. He found them wintering as far 
north as Connecticut and the northeastern portions of New York. 
In November 1899, Dr. O. G. Libby called my attention to 
the fact that red-heads were storing acorns in the vicinity of 
Madison, Wis., by inserting them between the cork ridges of our 
larger oaks (Quercus) . Investigation soon showed that these birds 
were busy with this task in nearly every oak grove about Madison. 
Before winter had fairly set in a great many trees were well 
stocked with acorns, some containing hundreds of them. They 
were also found below the loose bark on old trees, in cracks in 
fences, in old posts, and in decayed wood. From a fence post 
which was split across the top and hollowed out I removed more 
than a pint of the nuts. Whenever the whole nut could be placed 
in a crevice conveniently this was done, but where the crevice 
was too narrow they were split in halves. This was very often 
the case. Nowhere, however, did I find them still in the cup. 
\ Thinking the birds might have stored these acorns for the 
grubs they would yield I examined a large number, but noi grubs 
were found. The half acorns, too, were in good condition, ap- 
parently as well preserved as the others. 
Close watch was kept up all winter. One grove just west of 
the city seemed a favorable spot for the birds, and since it is only 
a short distance from the street railway line offered a convenient 
place for observation. It lies upon the western slope of a con- 
siderable hill (University Heights), and contains about two acres 
of healthy oaks (mostly Quercus alba and coccinea) interspersed 
with a few dead trees. 
iThis place was visited about once every week for the entire 
winter. On bright sunny days the cries and rappings of these 
birds could be heard for some distance around. They flew about 
chasing each other as if engaged in play ; sometimes as many as 
four or five occupied the same tree scolding in most excited 
tones ; then again they could be seen hopping up and down the 
tree trunk, stopping now and then to rap upon the wood as if 
they enjoyed the drumming sound. Thus they would turn from 
one diversion to another, cheery and apparently well contented 
with the way nature treated them. But in severe weather they 
were not so lively. When the weather was intensely cold, al- 
though they were stirring, the jubilant spirit was absent. They 
made very little noise, and kept close to the tree trunks. I visited 
the place several times during stormy weather and then it was 
rare to see or even hear a single specimen. From the excretions 
in and about several holes in trees I concluded that these were 
the places they used for shelter during inclement weather, as 
