THE DISAPPEARING SQ UIflitEL.
LTo THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."] Sta,—The theory upon the disappearance of the squirrel, set, forth by "E. P. D." in a letter published in your issue of March 18th, doubtless holds good in certain localities. It does not, however,. account for the extinction of the species over large tracts of country where little planting has been done and no such tactics employed, as happens to be the case in the district about which I wrote. Also, it must be remembered, the circumstance was noticeable before replanting on a large scale commenced. Since the article was printed letters bearing upon this subject have reached me from all parts of the country. That the squirrel is an egg-thief is too true, but curators of bird sanctuaries need not take him so very seriously. The branch builders are ,the species principally affected, and these being mainly large birds soon learn to protect their belongings against such an enemy, as observation will prove.—I am, Sir, &c., DOUGLAS GORDON. Talaton, Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire.
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