I long for the wild woods and fields in the spring, For the hills and the streamlets once more. I long for a sight of all nature, to-day, When the drear, frozen winter is o’er, And Spring comes apace, and all nature in life Is now quickened to action more free, And the flowers are springing in valley and dell, And green grows the shrub and the tree. I long for a sight of the squirrels so gay, As they spring up the trees on the hill, I long for a sight of the waters that flow And that sing as they turn the old mill. I long for the songs of the birds in the grove, As they sing, at the sweet early dawn, And to feel the great heart-throbs of nature in glee— It is Spring now, and Winter is gone. —Frank Monroe Beverly. THE WESTERN PINE SQUIRREL. Many peculiar things have been written about the red squirrel, or what is called out west, the Pine Squirrel. These frisky little animals are found in great numbers throughout eastern Washington. The northern part of eastern Washington abounds in pine forests, and those regions are a favorite abode for the squirrel. Next to the large silver fox squirrel and the diminutive chipmunk, the Pine Squirrel is the most handsome, graceful and interesting member of that numerous family found in the Northwest. He is a bright, sprightly little fellow. During the long, bright, sunny days of spring, summer and autumn, the Pine Squirrel makes his home out of doors. His life seems to be one of perpetual sunshine and pleasure. From early dawn to dusk the Pine Squirrel is on the move. He is never still for an instant. You see him scampering up and down the great trunk of a pine, fir or tamarack. Next, he is out on the tip end of a long, swaying branch. Then he is on the ground. The next instant he is running along the body of some prostrate tree. He is full of curiosity. If you stand and watch him, he will return the compliment with interest. If you are perfectly still, the little chap will venture close and eye you very sharply. He is as quick as a flash, and if you chance to move, away he darts, uttering his peculiar, sharp, chattering call. Rarely will you see him without something in his mouth. He is very dainty, however, as to what he eats. For all that he lives in the trees and on the ground, yet the Pine Squirrel has a permanent home. When chilling frosts visit the earth and the snow softly descends, the little fellow whisks away to his hole. However, he does not hibernate, like the bear. Not he. Often during the winter the squirrel will come out and take a view of the upper world. But this he does only when the weather is fine. He never shows himself when it is bitter cold and when storms prevail.