Birds and All Nature, Vol. 6, No. 4, November 1899: In Natural ColorsVarious
History
Birds and All Nature, Vol. 6, No. 4, November 1899: In Natural Colors
Various
Birds -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals
The farmer is not very friendly to this animal, which he regards as a
pest. It is hunted extensively. A whole army of enemies is constantly
engaged in its pursuit. "Boys utilize it to practice the noble sport of
hunting; weasels pursue it both on and under the ground; cats deem it
a prey equally as good as rats and mice, and all larger birds of prey
carry it off whenever they have a chance. One of these birds has even
gained for itself the name of squirrel-hawk, because of its attacks
on the chipmunk." The rattlesnake, according to the observations
of Geyer, also follows the poor little creature with a great deal
of perseverance. Winter often causes sad havoc among the numerous
young brood born in summer. Yet they are very plentiful, at least in
favorable years, the great fecundity of the female making up for the
losses. Their chief protection against enemies is the difficulty in
finding them and the amazing nimbleness they display as they dart
between and under hedges like wrens.
The beauty and gracefulness of the ground-squirrels render them
interesting pets, but as they never become quite tame, are timid and
addicted to biting, and gnaw everything in the cage they are not very
desirable to keep. Their care presents no difficulties, and they thrive
well on the simplest diet of grain and fruit.
Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N. Y., is suffering for the second time
in its history from a too great increase in its colony of chipmunks.
Eighteen years ago they became such a nuisance that a trapper was
employed, and 28,000 small striped pelts were the results of his first
year's work.
This year it was noticed that an unusual number were about, even in
the early spring, when the chipmunks first appear after a winter's
sleep. Now it is estimated that there are at least 20,000 chipmunks in
the cemetery, and a great deal of damage has been done. Through their
burrowing habits they have undermined the gravestones, and even in many
cases caused graves to sink in, when rainwater has helped to hollow out
their burrows.
The chief enemies of the chipmunks are the florists, for the animals
nip growing plants at the roots to reach the sap. One Brooklyn florist
says that since Decoration Day he has had to put in 250 new plants to
keep up an original plat of 150. Florists with contracts to keep graves
in condition have entered strong protests, but outside florists, who
work by the piece, have been making money.
The eight special policemen on the grounds have been furnished with
poisoned nuts to scatter about. No diminution has yet appeared in
the chipmunk army, as they reproduce three or four times a year and
increase fourfold in a season if not checked. But if poison fails
another trapper may be called in.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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