Evening star., 1949-10-08
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweU

Presence OF plenty OF squirrels in parks
and suburbs. and even in the closely built up
city. leads to much interest in them.
Dapper State Department employees, news
paper men. radio and television men. just
plain folks-these and many others work up
this interest of watching.
Two bright eyes peer at one while walking
down the street. and there is another friend
made for our mischievious gray squirrel, q
pest in England, friend in this
Gray squirrels sometimes produce black
ones, and even albino forms, although both
color changes are rare in comparison with
the gray stock.
Black or melanistic squirrels are found at
various sites in and around the city. Some
times there are pearl gray ones...' - -. {.
The all-white or albino form is the rarest,
but seen often enough to keep II out of the
really rare class.
H. E. of Fifteenth street writes:
When returned here about July 20 and
resumed feeding the squirrels in MacPher-
son square. I noticed that the older of our
two remaining black ones always ate her
peanut at once. and then Immediately re-
turned for another.
II soon discovered that her little belly was
covered with nipples and assumed she had
babies. She would always consume seven or
eight nuts before she started storing them.
This went on for two months, and won-
dered when would see the babies.
This evening when I whistled she ran
down tree and discovered two tiny black
ones and two tiny gray ones playing in the
branches
"They are quite small with lovely plumy
tails. How will these little things manage
this winter? There are practically no oaks
{vH 40 ~ Go NJ I@
acorn on the ground. and do not believe the
youngsters have been off the tree. OF they
are going to be my responsibility, will have
to buy nuts by the peck. Isn't it unusual
for these little creatures to be born so late
in the fall? I supposed they were all born
in the spring.
Another question: Do black and gray
squirrels mate? These tiny new ones are
definitely all gray and all black.
Nov and then I have carried pecans in
the shell to the parks When they were ex-
hausted. and the customers came back, I
have offered them peanuts. These were re-
fused with not too much dignity-almost a
sniff
Thank you so much for helping us know
the little wild creatures better"
Young squirrels often are born in Septem-
ber.
Fortunately for them, they grow quickly,
the mothers milk lasts long time, and
there are always humans interested in them.
Acorns may be collected at no expense
except some time and trouble. Some left
at the base Of squirrel tree will be greeted
with acclaim by the parent squirrel and
babies.
Sometimes squirrels refuse peanuts be-
cause there is too much salt on them, and
sometimes because they simply are holding
out" for preferred food.
Gray and black forms mate, because they
are both gray squirrels There are practi-
cally none Of the red squirrels In this
vicinity.
Some Of the babies are black, some gray.
This is getting into genetics. a difficult sub
ject, so let US hasten on to our next letter.
H. F. B. of Second street writes:
"The two little squirrel orphans are won
derful both fat and full Of fun.
Their formal education has begun, and
they attend classes at the Buchanan School
daily. They were little late entering, due
to their extreme youth and their fall from
the tree, but they are above the average
score in intelligence for squirrels so are
making up their work! -....
1.-The children in Special love to feed
them warm milk from tiny dolls bottle,
then fold them in soft woolen blankets.
They have q hot water bottle for cool days
and each owns q tiny sweater cap, hand
loomed by a 6-year r-old.
1.-TWO poems have been written about them
and sent to The Junior Star and Animals
magazine.
Reading lessons based on the childrens
experience with the pets are prepared and
read daily The school newspaper had head
lines on the day they arrived. 1t is very
easy to read about something you are all
vitally interested in something you love
and are responsible for. The room becomes
alive with interest. It does something for a
teacher, to watch d big overgrown boy hold
q tiny squirrel and say. Gee, you're nice.
I like you It is at such times the teacher
knows in her heart that teaching school
really u worthwhile"