MAMMALIA. 
1 16 
of the trees ; or, if he thinks them here too exposed, carries them 
directly to some hollow log or stump. Later in the season, when 
the mast is fully ripe, and the danger from mould is past, he fills the 
hollows of the limbs and trees about his nest, and often secretes 
reserve hoards in his burrows in the earth. In the evergreen 
forests he lays up large supplies of cones. I have seen him, even 
before the middle of September, engaged in gathering those of the 
white pine {Pi mis strobus). At this early date he cuts the yet green 
cones from the branches, and, when a sufficient number have fallen, 
takes them to some hiding-place to ripen for his winter’s fare. He 
eats the little buds that may be found scattered sparingly along the 
small branches of the spruce, and, in order to obtain them easily, 
bites off the terminal twigs and drags them back where the limb is 
large enough to allow him to sit comfortably on his haunches while 
feeding. Under single trees, both in the great forest and on our own 
lawn, I have found enough twigs to fill a bushel basket. The injury 
thus done is sometimes very extensive. 
H e is fond of a variety of fruits, and sometimes commits great 
havoc in the apple orchard. From his liking for mushrooms some 
would consider him an epicure, but in whatever light we regard 
this taste, it is a droll spectacle to see him drag a large “ toadstool” 
to one of his storehouses. If the “ umbrella” happens to catch on 
some stick or log and is broken from the stem, as is frequently the 
case, he is pretty sure to scold and sputter for a while, and then 
take the pieces separately to their destination. 
Throughout the first half of June I have often observed a family 
of Red Squirrels feeding upon the winged seeds of a red or swamp 
maple ( Acer rubrum ), directly in front of my office window. 
They rarely came during the day, but in the evening both parents 
and five young were frequently seen on the tree at one time, and 
they commonly remained till it was so dark that I could no longer 
discern their outlines. In reachinof down from the slender twin's 
to the drooping clusters of fruit they sometimes slipped and seemed 
