Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1909 — TROUBLESOME SQUIRRELS. [ARTICLE]

TROUBLESOME SQUIRRELS.

In a Colorado Town They Destroy Birds Nests arid Gnaw Roofs. Greeley is contemplating organizing a squirrel hunt to rid the city of the hundreds of squirrels which make their home in Linfcoln Park and which destroy the eggs of’the songbirds. Ten years ago Greeley was the home of mahy linnets, wild canaries, mocking birds and robins, Writes a correspondent of the Denver Republican; but only a tew are seen now, and there are none left in the trees in the park because of the depredations of the squirrels. Eight years ago some one brought two pairs of squirrels from the East and made houses for them in the park where they and t%e prdgeny became grdat attractions. They have multiplied so fast, however, as to overrun the park and extend their nesting places to private grounds. In several cases they have gnawed through the roofs of houses in order to make nests in the garrets. At first it was believed that the English sparrow had driven away the other birds, but investigation proves that not even a sparrow’s nest can be found. The placing of the tin collars from eight to ten inches wide around every tree not in the park was suggested for the protection of the birds, but this will prove no remedy because of the ability of the squirrels to spring from one tree top to another. The talk of exterminating the squirrels has been going on for two years and people say they must go.