Evening star., 1947-03-15
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TracetUeU.
"TAKOMA PARK, Md.

Dear Sir:
Please tell us something about squir-
rels.
"I have been greatly disturbed by the
cutting down of an old tree in my
neighborhood.
People said, Tt is dead, what good
is it?' But it was great deal of good
for it's hollow trunk sheltered family
of squirrels.
I'm this house of bark they were as
snug as could be from wind, snow and
sleet, and during the last severe weeks
Of winter, 1 am sure my furred friends
would have -perished from starvation
and cold had they not been able to hide
away in this natural dwelling place.
Nov it is gone, and what will the
squirrels do?
'It seems that all things fill some
need even dead trees. Even the weeds
by the roadside hold seeds in winter
for hungry birds, and their stiff stalks
stand tall above the snow.
Sincerely, H. D. A."
This kind-hearted correspondent need
not worry.
The gray squirrels of this vicinity do
not neeQ nOllOW ueeS.
They do not hide food in such places,
as does the red squirrel, and they are
able to find other shelter.
Old dead trees are good places for
hole nesting birds, but such trees are
often a menace, being easily blown over
in winter and summer storms.
Often dead tree on property must
be removed for reasons unknown to any
but the property holder.
It is not generally realized that it may
be known many months in advance
when a tree is going to fall.
Careful scrutiny of the ground line at
the base often will reveal a slight crack
where the tree has pulled away.
Thus even the way the tree is likely
to fall may be discovered, yet this
knowledge will be unknown to any but
the owner.
Our friend the gray squirrel is hardy,
as are all rodents.
Rodents comprise the largest family
of mammals.
Some scientists believe that they will
finally inherit the earth, because of their
adaptability.
When atom bombs cause changes in
the mysterious genes of the human
system, and thus bring about what
the scientists call mutations, man
will be unable to survive, in all prob
ability, but the rats and mice and all
their rodent cousins will be mostly un-
affected
The gray squirrel is good rodent. He
will not perish from cold as long as he
can get food This depends upon such
things as he has buried in the ground
for he does not hide in logs-and upon
food placed for the birds.
No bird likes sunfower seed any bet
ter than squirrel.
The bushy tailed ones construct their
own shelters in the form of large nests
made out of leaves.
These large bird nests" may be seen
easily in winter. high up in trees.
Squirrels also find shelter in crotches
of trees and beneath evergreens
Such shelter, of course, would help
only outdoor creatures used to the most
bitter cold
The coat of squirrels, except in old
age, is very close and fine, and is COM
posed of two layers, an inner one of fine
hairs, and an outer coat of coarse ones.
These combine to keep the cold out and
the animals own body heat in.
With ordinary good squirrel fortune,
the average grays in this vicinity, with
few black ones. are able to survive
even our coldest winters, provided they
can find enough to eat.
With the increase of bird feeding
throughout the suburban areas, where
trees are most numerous, squirrels are
much better able to survive today than
ever before.