The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

the mounds.
 The biologist says the animals are dur nal and in larger colonies hundreds may be seen at a time, some scudding swiftly over the ground, rolling in the dust, bask- ing in the sunshine, or standing erect on their launches gazing over the country or biting off the stems of grain. tarweed, or other plants on which they feed. The seeds are not eaten on the spot by the animal, but tucked away in its cheek pouches and carried to underground storehouses for future use.
 While living mainly on the ground, the squirrels are good climbers, and are often seen in oaks and other nut-bear- ing trees. They are not migra/s in the proper sense of the word, the>r journeys being limited to short distances, usually from one locality to a neighboring one, according to the season and fluctuations in the food supply. The cultivation 0. grain or other crops draws them from adjoining lands. and they become more abundant on cultivated lands than else where.
 ''The species do not hibernate con- tinues MT Merriam, ''excert in the noun tains, although in the foothills and val leys the animals usually stay in their burrows during stormy and severe weather In the oak foothills, when the acorns are ripening in September and October. these squirrels become fat and lazy and may be seen about the mouths of their burrows enjoying the sunshine.
 Through close observation it was found that the food Of the squirrels includes, according to season and locality. acorns, fruits. seeds of various plants and green herbage. Acorns are favorite food. and where obtainable are gathered and stored in large quantities. Of cultivated nuts, the little animals show decided prefer ence for almonds and walnuts, of crops, apples, prunes, peaches, apricots, figs, olives, garden vegetables. the seeds of canteloupes and watermelons. All grains arc eaten.
 According to observations made by MT Merriam while in the field, ground squir Tels carry acorns, olives. various seeds, grain and even green stuff from the places where they are gathered to their burrows. in their ample cheek pouches. These supplies are stored away in caches, which have been found to contain from a pint to a quart of oats. wheat or corn.
 For these reasons, MT. Merriam says. 'it is seen that an animal so large, so abundant and generally distrib- rted over the agricultural parts of the country. particularly the west, is capable of infiicting serious losses, and when it is remembered that the squirrel feeds on all kinds of grain, fruits, vegetable and forage crops, vineyards and young orange groves, the magnitude of its dep relations can be appreciated.
 Tn the vineyards he says. 'the ssquir- rels gnaw of the young shoots. At first they work chiefly along the borders Of the vineyard, proceeding inward as they defoliate the vines, leaving sharp line Of demarcation to show the progress of their invasion"
 "The principal money loss attributed to ground squirrel results from their depre- dations on grain. They devour barley, wheat and oats When the seed is first sown, they dig up and carry away the sprouting kernels. They invade the fields of ripening grain and feast upon it continuously until harvest time, and when 1t is cut and stacked concentrate about the stacks, eating all t1ey can and laboring tirelessly to carry the remainder to their underground storehouses.
 When operating in the grain fields these title pests first clear off the grain round the borders of the field, cutting q swatl 40 or 50 feet in width They then estab. fish coonies of burrows in various parts of the field
 One of the most serious injuries inflicted by the squirrels is from their habit oi borrowing in embankments In the flat country they seek elevations from which they can better observe the approach o1 | their enemies. DilSes. levies. roadways and embankments of all kinds attract them and are often undermined by theii l burrows.
 | With all of their faults, however, ground squirrels are good to eat, and few years ago were regularly sold in the markets of western states. They have always been highly prized by the Indians, who roast them over coals and devour then | eagerly.
 To bring about an exterminaton ot these animals, and save millions of dol
 lars annually to the agriculturist the De
 partment of Agriculture has advocated z
 system of poisoning the squirrels. The
 department suggests that the most effec
 tive and least expensive way to destro, the pest is by grain poisoned with strych nine.
 $6.70 Atlanta
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