THE . GREY. SQUIRREL
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] ' - have read •the - Article - and- letters,-you have 'published On the subject of a grey squirrel imported -from 'Canada, Which is -expelling Your red squirrel Making general., havoc. I suspect that your " grey • squirAll'' is an imposter, being in fact no squirrel- at: all kit-, rodent 'common near the -Rocky Mountains, and- called -here. -the Mountain rat.- Its skin is litéd. by fur dealer§ As- "trey-) *squirrel " (value about le.) and this may give' rise to an error) 'in naming it; with -You.' It is shaped like a rat, of goodisfz with rather large head, long hind legs, tufted ears, long sniooth tail thicker at the end With a black tip. The fur i a light; 'bluish grey, soft and pretty, and the skin is tender. It is, 'however, a most destructive kind of vermin, often getting into `outlying cabins and stables, where it destroys 'everything not enclosed in a metal container. It makes nests Of rags !which it has torn from blankets or clothing. .It also steals silver spoonS and bright metal articles, Which it carries to its nest. -When 'cornered in a building it hides and beats the wall, etc., with its tail, so betraying its presence, and it has a strong scent.' • In order to exterminate it I would suggest putting boxes for It to nest in in coverts it may frequent;each box haying_ ah-ole 'of its size and a supply of rags. So it may be trapped or Shot.
bounty on tails would help much and the .22 rifle much used by boys here is cheap and handy for hunting it Perhaps the Hoy Scouts could be applied with advantage ? If not stopped Soon it may become more costly than - the cominon fat. We have a small dark grey squirrel -here which seems, harm- less and not numerous whose demeanour is sqUirrel-like.-- 1 am, Sir, &c., Pincher Station, Alberta, Canada. J. M. LIDDEEL.
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