THE SQUIRREL WAR
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The only fault I have to find in your article on the grey squirrel is that it is not quite strong enough in condemna- tion. On this estate of under 450 acres we have killed in two years about 246 grey squirrels, and the keeper has instructions to kill the lot if he can ; we now seem to have as many as ever. The red squirrel is a great rarity, and it has not been seen here for a considerable time. Grey squirrels have habits nearly identical with rats. They have a great fondness for fruit, and will do great damage to cherries, plums, apples and other fruit ; a neighbour of mine actually saw one carrying off a peach. I have seen one with a young chaffinch in its mouth, having first taken it out of a nest. One was seen near a coop of young pheasants and the keeper noticed that three were missing when he counted the birds, although he did not actually see the squirrel take any ; we have also seen a hen with young chickens chasing a grey squirrel away from the coop. At this time of year they are fond of barking beech trees, doing far more damage than any rabbit would. Walnut trees they have barked high up, now they are eating young fir cones. It appears that grey squirrels are not so adept at climbing. as the red. They are real vermin, and the Spectator does great service by making known to the public the serious damage that they do. All estate owners should give strict instruction to their keepers and foresters to destroy every alien, then possibly our better behaved indigenous red squirrel will be allowed to live in peace.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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