Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-10
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEEELL.

What tremendously capable Claws
they must possess!
! In them no doubt, reposes the whole
Of squirrel craft and lore, because they
are the very hands. as 1t were. with
/ which the animal grasps whatever 1t
clings to, no matter how high.
1t was easy to see that this particular
specimen was comparatively new at the
most ancient sport He made several
false moves, had to retrace many steps,
sometimes hesitated.
X f
Once he was launched In the air,
however, he seemed to know exactly
what he was doing
You have watched a high-class base
ball player turn his back to high
one, and speed toward the fence to the
exact spot where the ball comes down.
There is splendid coordination there,
born Of native ability and much prac-
tice, and the precise knack which 1t
takes to become q professional ball
player.
Once this small squirrel was in the
air he had all the aplomb, all the evil
dent knowledge, Of his tribe.
He did not fall. and. more to the
point, he seemed to know that he would
not fall.
X 4
Perhaps squirrels do fall out Of trees
onto the ground. upon occasion. but
certainly we have never seen one do 1t.
and rather imagine that 1t Is very
rare sight.
And the higher they are when they
leap, II among tree branches. the bet
ter chance they have of never hitting
earth unintentionally, because the more
chances those grasping claws have o.
getting q real toehold.
It Is likely that squirrels make really
hazardous leaps only when close to the
earth, with the sublime good sense
which distinguishes the brute creatures.
A good bump from q few feet would
not hurt healthy squirrel. but no doubt
a landing from a height OF 20 or more
feet would be different proposition,
just as 1t Is with us.
The little squirrel mentioned, sue
cessfully negotiated two entire wide
backyards among the treetopS, IN order
to make his getaway from couple OF
holsecats which had him spotted:
The little fellow chartered to him
sell, as he made the first leaps. from
| tree to tree, but soon convinced him
self that he was In his proper element.
after all: speedily he ran up and down
trunks. never coming "Itlui ~ lccb Va
the earth: quickly he rectified his false
, judgments, and selected surer ways OF
procedure without undue hesitation.
It was a mastery exhibition. and
one felt like cheering the little fellow.
as it finally reached its chosen refuge
! in a great oak. Certainly no cat would
dare that height. and 1t knew 1t.
| In the suburban areas, one often sees
squirrels doing the tightrope along cleo
trio cables over streets.
| Most of them walk as steadily as II
on q tree branch, but occasionally the
| observer will see an uncertain one, at
times losing its grip, and swinging clear
around, back down, frantically clawing
at the wire.
Finally it rights itself. only to slip
again. within a few feet. to 60 through
the clawing process. to right itself. and
| to run a few more feet. Perhaps such
animals are students at the squirrel pas
time: In time they will become as
expert as the old ones. and perhaps
surpass them. 1t is certain that no hu-
man observer need worry overmuch
about them falling. They can take care
Of themselves.