DAMAGE CAUSED BY SQUIRRELS IN FORESTRY COMMISSION AREAS, 1954-6

The paper examines the replies received from foresters of theForestry Commissionto questionnaires sent out at the author'ssuggestion in 1954, 1955, and 1956 on the damage caused to ForestryCommission woodlands by the two squirrels, Sciurus carolinensisand S. vulgaris leucourus, during the forest years 1954–6.The inquiry was primarily concerned with S. carolinensis, thegrey squirrel, for the killing of which rewards have been offeredsince 1953, ut, for 1955 and 1956, information was sought alsoabout the red squirrel. The most serious economic damage doneby both squirrels is considered to be the stripping of barkfrom the stemsof growing trees and it is this damage which isexamined. The information received is sifted critically andthe results summarized in thirteen tables andin two diagrams.