The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-03
HARD TIMES IN THE WILD.
Beasts and Birds Suffer From the Old
Fashioned Winter.

The recent snUwstorms nave proved
"a serious matter 10 the wild inhsbi-
tants OF the woods and covers Not
only have the birds felt the effects but
the animals are suffering as well. The
deep drifts have covered their food so
completely that It is next to impossible
for them to get anything to eat. Rab-
bits ouc foxes are anon the four
footed inhabitants Of the woods who
have % hustle for food Just now. The
squirrels. as n rule. have provided D.
some extent against the needs of M.
winter. They nave stored away a good
supply Of nuts. which they gathered
from the woods. and products which
they stole from the farmer. But even
these little animals are not as well pro-
vided FOR as in some years. The nut
crop was not very abundant last fall
and farmers and their dogs were too
watchful for prolonged hunts in the
grain houses, Nearly every hou$ in
the country could tell stories OF mid
night providers from the trees that have
driven the rats and mice away from
their usual haunts.
II IL not only the country houses
that have been raided by the squirrels.
hut houses II Great Harrington are in
habiled by these woodsy huuaers one
story has come In Of "A muskrat that.
searching for n change In his daily
diet. strolled through "A cellar window
and met death at the edge of a coal
shovel
Hunters nave found the remains Of
many rabbits that have been torn and
eaten by hungry foxes. Although the
snow has not been on the round long,
stu reports are current of the depre-
dations in chicken yards and coops by
foxes. who, driven from their accus-
TONED huuutg are buufinp u,ar tho
habi;Ais OF man, hunger overcoming
their natural caution and fear.
Even the rabbits are overcoming
their fear 81 mar and his doc to prowl
about the homes. looking for scraps
that are overlooked by tho dogs ans
cats. In some places rabbits are SO
weakened ny hunger that they can he
easily caught by dogs.
partridges and pheasauts as well as
birds that are not considered game
are driven by hunger to the poultry
wards and scratching grounds NJ the
farinyard. In many places a small
hole oil lie seen IN the snow and a
bird will he found. either starved to
death ar else so weak as to he unable
to nv. owls and hawks are suffering
AZ well. and the latter are taking
chickens from hen yards where they
never dared to approach before.
Inc lack OF Iobu VIII NOT only ne
felt ny the wild people Of tho woods
ard covers. hut will also he fclt to =
certain degree hy the former. The
death of 50 nan birds will give the
winged posts a better opportunity to
thrive. as fortunately heavy snow does
not seem to affect the tent caterpillar
nor the gypsy moth, Another loss
likely to occur will he the damage to
trees, Rats and mice burrowing under
the snow will gnaw the bark from
young trees. Rabbits working along
the top will eat the lower branches and
bark.
Deer will not he able to browse in
their accustomed places and will uu-
doubtedly attack the young orchards
on the outskirts. Should tho deep
snow continue II is not improbable that
serious damage will he felt by the
farmers from the dcrredatious of wild
animals.