Evening star., 1945-04-30
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDeH.


@ STREET.
Dear Sir:
In regard to the inquiry of D. c.,
would say that chipmunks can be
trained or enticed to come to you.
up in Pittsburgh's suburban woods
had no trouble to get them to come
and take nut kernel from my hand,
but one must be very patient and make
no false moves
only the older ones will draw near
These rodents have peculiar eyes,
and can best be attracted by holding a
peanut with an up-and-down motion.
BE sure to hold the nut extended,
so they can take hold, or they will slash
through your finger tip like q needle
Il have made them turn a complete
somersault after taking hold of nut.
Again I had them come up my trouser
leg to the knee to take the kernel, but
be sure and reward them by letting go
at the righv Instant SO they can stow
the booty.
After one has their confidence they
will stay until they have pouched from
six to to eight peanut kernels. Then
they will scamper off to their den,
unload and soon return for more
Squirrels will soon get very familiar
after they know you, and will dig into
your pockets for nuts. But chipmunks
must be enticed, sometimes for several
days
After that it is easy.
"Yours very truly, E. L. W."
~
Caution and patience are the key
notes OF attracting all wild animals.
Terto iy,1t, n WIZ y.
had no experience along these lines
should take stock of these qualities in
himself before he attempts it on the
spur of the moment.
Caution is something which some per-
sons seem born without, and in certain
situations this is all to the good, but
when it comes to making up to squirrels
and chipmunks in the woods or home
grounds there is no quality like cau-
ton.
Both creatures have needle sharp
teeth. They are the original nut
crackers. Those sharp teeth can 60
clear down to the bone, and the wound
is difficult to heal
1t is much better to realize, before
beginning to attract them, that such
animals are pure children of nature, no
matter how friendly they may seem, or
how much they are attracted by food
extended to them
If this is kept in mind, the person
holding the bait will not become care
less and think just because the animal
succumbs to the lure of food that it is
really becoming tame.
The call of food is one of the most
insistent. There is never a moment of
wild creatures life when it is free
from it.
1t is well for a human being to re-
member this. and to realize that SLOW
ness of movement on his part is alb
solutely essential. Not only slowness of
movement, but even more essential,
lack of any quick abrupt motions
These latter are taken by the animal
to be harm moments, intended for his
hurt. He reacts to them as soldier
would, by hitting back.
Patience, next to caution, is absolutely
essential. You will see scores of per-
sons on park benches trying to attract
squirrels, and mostly they do not have
the necessary patience.
Sometimes it will be necessary to
spend several days, as our correspondent
points out. in getting the good will of
the creature. This is especially true
in the woods or home grounds. In the
parks many hundreds of persons have
shown the squirrels that they offer food,
not harm.
Chipmunks are peculiarly quick of
movement and will not be attracted by
anyone with jitterbug tendencies. We
would not advise the average person to
attempt to make chipmunk turn
somersault. Our correspondent evidently
is not only man wise in the ways of
the woods, but also possesses by nature
that magic touch which makes all wild
creatures know he is their friend. Sew
eral years ago we were sent photograph
of local woman with blue jay on her
shoulder. a pet cat in her lap, and a
dog at her feet. Such feats are possible
only to the exceptional person. Most
OF us are wise not to attempt 1t, espe-
cially when 1t comes to the rodents.