The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-18
NOVEL BATTLE IN THE WOODS.
Squirrel and WOodpecker Engage In
Conflict for Their Home.

\ weli-known sportsman Of Minneapolis
writes the following account CT an adven-
ture In the squirrel timber which cannot
fall to interest those familiar with the hab-
it's of the hushytailed varmint that far
nishes such fine sport In October days: II
was sitting with my hack against a log
In the deep woods one Octoner morning.
watching for two squirrels that were MD
inS In the top OF a great walnut tree. One
Of the squirrels had shot at and missed,
whereupon II scampered Up the tree In
question. followed by another one Of It's
kind. 70 the topmost branches, patient
examination OF all the limbs failed 10 dis
close TO my eyes SO much as Tn ear. so
sat down 10 wait until the game moved.
"A half-hour passed. by which t!no ev-
cry knot and bunch Of leaves had become
familiar to me. There was very large
limb that extended out from the tree in n
horizontal direction for ten feet. then bent
upward gradually. On It's under side there
was hole such as a gray squirrel might
fancy, Presently n saucy woo9pecker re-
splendent In red and white and black. scut-
tied down the limb In search of food. In
stsntly my full attention was directed 90 IT
fl the hope that its actions might betray
20 me the location OF the two hidden sQuir-
reis
Down came the woodpecker after the
hating. terky manner OF its kind bu, sud
denly II stopped short. then few UP ana
alighted further down the limb. At the
Same time there was fash Of grAy near
the hole IN the limb and some small crsa-
tUre disappeared within. had never be-
fore noticed any ruffiins up Of the feath-
ers on a woofpccker's neck as an inica-
tion % anger or what not. but this one
was either startled or angry, for ITS neck
feathers resenlbled those Of the rnlschiev-
onf little camp robbers az the West. Hut
no matter what fts feelings were, thu
vcoipecker sided up 10 the hole ana peck
81 in. with Is head cooked first 10 ono
side. then to that.
1T 10 customary with all rood woo-t9eck-
ers. like policemen, 70 rattle for assist
erce when they believe they have corralied
a bigger bargain than they can make away
with unalaei. but this one aid nothing Of
the sort as II seemed dubious a. 10 wneth-
or iss game wss reaily cornerst Finally IL
decided 10 take a look inside. 80 IL ducked
~ head and crept In very singerIy ard
very slowly. a moment 81 silence followed
then all at once a bunch 81 feathers was
literally iret ont OF the hole much after
The fashion Of = young mans hurried exit
from g wouldn't he-father-fn- Jaws door.
II VIA the voodpecker II found its wings
after a hesdlcrng tumble ~ several feet.
perched on nearby branch ana xitrei
acso~. 81 the hole In tho limb, seemingly
II was puzzled 10 know what was ia
that hollow limb bat the wooipecker coon
Settled all 6oubts nv flying sCro>s 20 the
hole with meek feathers rus"ef and blood
IN his eye. No sooner had II nIixhted
than flying squirrel saytsi OIL; q the
hole ard .rounCsd On g. both finally nitsfst-
Ing on lower limb Then followed n game
- hi4e-snf seek, With the woospa
forcing the Sight Up ara DOWN. round
and round tho limits and hack sna forth
from ons 20 the other. they went ~.3rne-
times the Aging s9uirrei-evidsn:ly azz-ei
~ TIRE .uniigh'--wouit turn tnf pursue rs
enemy nirHly. ana then fhe Bird would
hesitate vhersupon .he squirrel finally
n1sss a dash ard gained the dark interior
81 It's turfner place 81 refuge
How tits interesting encounter rnsy
have terminated II II impossible 30 say .sr
az that moment : saw one - my squirrels
?eeriug oTsr tfe sors - another branch.
Fsn6 the shot SreA ~ II broke isp the liz.
SIC game which hsf been fortunate
enough % witness"