Evening star., 1949-09-27
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweH

we have been told. often go wrong, and
so sometimes the hopes of those who try
to raise young squirrels bereft of their
natural mothers
H. B. of Second street writes:
1t was very kind Of you to call me about
the baby squirrels.
Il am sorry to tell you that they slept
peacefully away in the incubator made for
them. a corrugated box. with an electric
light suspended at the top for warmth.
The temperature was kept at IS degrees,
and for while they were fine. We fed
them every two hours, but they did not seem
to like the Zoos formula dncluding prune
juice) too much.
i have heard Of squirrel breeder who
raised pair on unsweetened milk.
II you ever see baby squirrel will YOU
please call me. and shall be only too happy
to come for it? should love to raise an
other one. You spoke of finding four one
summer and If you find one don't forget
me-"
Inclusion Of prune juice in the SQUIRREL
formula may be what caused the trouble.
No squirrel In nature would get prune
juice. although 1t is true that there NAV
be something in the mother squirrels milk
which has somewhat similar laxative
quality.
Plaln milk. warmed, with a little sugar
added. and some vitamin D in it, makes a
good baby squirrel food
Perhaps lower temperature than IS
degrees Is best.
Squirrel nests are high in trees, and while
warm enough during the day, must 70 to
the lowest point at night.
The natural swing In temperature. from
the days highest to lowest, is what gives
the baby squirrel its training in thermo-
dynamics. That's $64 word that means
the science of the adjustment of the live
body to alternating warm and cool tenn
peratures
The squirrel needs q very fine adjust
ment. and brought up as nature intended
either manages it or dies That is natures
cruel law. The young squirrel in q few
months must learn how to handle itself In
extremes of temperature.
There Is little question that most of us. In
attempting to raise bird or animal. tend
to overdo it. If we could take it easier. and
not be too worried, the chances are that
the small living creature would stand a
better chance of coming through than when
We try too hard.
"BnTMoRE STREET.
Dear Sir:
L
was awakened by the most lovely serenade.
My unknown charmer began with a series
OF chirps and twitters, tuning up on the
sparrow song.
Ine mimic was perfect, but like an opera
star who sings whispering song softly, the
power OF the song was not concealed.
He gave the catbird call, the cuckoo call
and then broke into his repertoire finch
canary and warblers. He finished 1t with
deep rollers. like Hartz Mountain canary.
and then came silence.
The next morning my friend was back
again. his song lovely as ever. The third
morning I waited In vain.
Between and 10 In the evening Of the
third day I was with some callers in my
living room, when startling seemed to be
whistling outside! Then the sparrow chirp.
Then the roller warble. could almost hear
him say. Fooled you, didn't I?' The fol-
lowing night Mt the same hour he almost
sang his heart out.
But the crows had heard him, and the
morning Of the NTH day heard the vicious
cav. cav. cav Of the foragers. And the
crows have been with us each morning and
evening, destroying the homes Of the pigeons
on the cornices.
For many years this section has been
haven for cardinals. orioles and Others
but the last few years the crows have come
raiding US each season.
Was their latest victim nightingale?
1t could not have been anything else
Very truly, r. L. D."
1t could have been and most probably
was mockingbird. Some Of them remain
here all winter. Few other species sing so
well or so persistently at night.
The chances are the crows did not get
it. It probably has Just flown out to Chevy
Chase. Md. We will watch out for 1t, and
have some raisins handy.