The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-01-09

burrs and haZel-nuts like a plodding
farmer, working continuously every day
for hours; saying not word;
cutting off the ripe cones
at the top of his speed, as if employed
by the job, and examining every branch
in regular order, as if careful that not
one should escape him: then, descend
ing, he stores them away beneath logs |
stumps, in anticipation of the pinching
hunger days of winter. He seems him |
self kind of coniferous fruit, both fruit
and flower. The rosiny essences of the
pines pervade every pore of his body,
and eating his flesh is like chewing gum. |
One never tires of this bright chip of
nature-this brave little voice crying in
the misunderstanding his many
works and ways, and listening to his
curious language. His musical, piney
gossip is savory to the ear as balsam to
the palate; and, though he has not ex-
actly the gift of song, some of his notes
are sweet as those of linnet-almost
fute-like in sofsness; while others prick
and tingle like thistles. He is the
mocking- bird of squirrels, pouring forth
mixed chatter and song like perennial
fountain. Barking like dog, scream
ing like hawk, whistling like black
birds and sparrows; while in bluff, au-
dacious noisiness he is a jay.
In descending the trunk of a tree with
the intention of alighting on the ground,
full, perhaps, of foxes and wild
cats; but there is no end to his
capels and noise while rocking safely
at home; and woe to the gray squirrel
or chipmunk that ventures to set foot
on his favorite tree? No matter how
sly yly they trace the burrows of the bark,
they are speedily discovered, and kicked
down stairs with comic vehemence,
while a torrent of angry notes come rush
ing from his whiskered lips that sounds
remarkably like human swearing. lie
will even attempt at times to drive away
dogs and men, especially if he has had
no previous knowledge of them. Seeing
man for the first time, Ehe approaches
nearer and nearer, until within a few
feet, then, with an angry outburst, he
makes sudden rush, all teeth and eyes,
as if about to eat you up. But, finding
that the big, forked animal doesn't scare
worth nut, he prudently beats a re-
treat, and sets himself up to rsconnoiter
ON some overhanging branch, scruti-
nizing every movement you make with
ludicrous solemnity. Gathering eour-
age, he ventures down the trunk again,
churring and chirping, and jerking ner.
vously up and down in curious loops,
eyeing you al the time, as if show
ing off and demanding your admiration.
Finally, growing calmer, he settles
down in a comfortable posture on some
horizontal branch commanding a good
view, and beats time with his tail to a
.. steady "Cheeup! cheeup!" or, when
, somewhat less excited, "Peeah!" with
, the first syllable keenly accented, and
the second drawn out like the scream Of
a hawk-repeating this slowly and more
emphatically at first, then gradually
= faster, until rate of about 150 words
a minute is reached, and usually sitting
all the time on his launches, with paw
resting on his belly, which pulses visi
; bly, with each word. 1t is remarkable
t too, that, though articulating distinctly
+ he keeps his mouth shut most of tn
/. time, and speaks through his nose.
j have occasionally observed him eveI
eating sequoia seeds and nibbling
9 troublesome flea, without ceasing or il
!. any way confusing his steady ''Peeah
) peeah!" for single moment.
q While ascending trees all his claw
v come into play, but in descending, tn
+ weight of his body is sustained chiefl
o by those of the hind feet; still, in neithe
n case do his movements suggest effort
!. though if YOU are near enough you ma
a see the bulging strength of his shor
;. bear-like arms, and note his sinewy fist
i clinched in the bark.
|. Whether going up or down, he eal
r. ries his tail extended at full length
= line with his body, unless it be require
!. for gestures But while running alon
o. horizontal limbs or fallen trunks, it
s frequently folded forward over the bacl
# with the airy tip daintily upcuried.
' cool weather it keeps him warm. Thel
!, after he has finished his meal, you ms
!. see him couched close on some lev
10 limb with his blanket neatly spread an
,e reaching forward to his ears, the ele
+. trio, outstanding hairs quivering IN II
J. breeze like pine needles. But in wet
IN very cold weather he stays IN his mes
le and while curled up there his comfort
4. is long enough to come forward arour
ry his nose. 1t is seldom so cold, howeve
,e as to prevent his going out to his stor
ut when hungry.
$. Once while making winter ascent
I'd Mount Shasta, lay storm-bound
It. the extreme upper edge of the timb |,
I'd line for three days, and while Il
h. thermometer stood nearly at zero al
er the sky was thick with driving sno'
of a Douglass came -braveiy !
I'd several times from one of the low
d. hollows of a dwarf pine, faced the vii
1t, without seeming to feel it much. frisk
d. lightly about over the mealy snow al