120 
NATURE STUDY. 
has been taught by his parents that pretty nearly every¬ 
thing, including man, is his enemy. This having been 
emphasized by sundry narrow escapes from hawks and 
owls, being chased by cats and dogs and stoned by boys, 
it is small wonder that he looks on your apparent friendli¬ 
ness with suspicion. However, he has considerable curi¬ 
osity, and if you “ make haste slowly,” you will doubtless 
succeed. Two or three little hints, gained by experience, 
may be of use to some. Avoid all sudden movements ; ex¬ 
tend the hand carefully and drop the contents to the 
ground—of course, wdien he is looking. Then move back¬ 
wards slowly, and after a few trials he will investigate ; 
when, with a little skill and judgment on your part, he 
will finally, if unable to reach what is in your hand other¬ 
wise, place his little feet on your hand to secure it. Now, 
if you move involuntarily, all will be lost, but if you remain 
motionless when you feel that little electric thrill, he will 
come again, and soon with the utmost abandon. 
One day this fall, when the leaves were nearly gone from 
the trees, and the air had that peculiar “ feel ” of approach¬ 
ing winter, it was my good fortune to have another pleas¬ 
ant experience with the same species. My way took me 
along the lake shore, where I met a man who seemed much 
interested in the antics of a squirrel. On questioning him, 
I learned that he had fed the little fellow all summer, until 
at last he became so tame he would come at his calk climb 
all over him, going in and out of his pockets with appar¬ 
ent absolute fearlessness. Taking some nuts in my hand, 
it required very little coaxing to induce him to climb up 
and perch on my hand, meanwhile storing away the nuts 
in his pouches. Before doing this, however, he bit off 
some of the pointed end, for what reason I can only guess ; 
possibly the sharp points did not feel comfortable against 
his cheeks. He would take four or five nuts at a time, 
scamper to his hole, which was at the base of a tree, and 
return quickly for more. 
