21 MAY 1932, Page 11

Now, Kew is sanctuary in some measure for birds and

tnammals as well as plants ; and among its quadrupeds the grey squirrels have found there Paradisal amenities : plenty Of trees to climb ; human food and nature's food in variety ; knd the absence of destructive agents.- You would have thought that they would have been on their good behaviour. They do not perhaps do much serious damage ; but they have

displayed a new taste peculiar to the Paradise ; at least I never heard of it before, though I have kept a dossier of their food, which includes birds, eggs, greenery of all sorts, bark, peaches and other fruit, maize and wheat. They have fallen upon the lead and metal medallions on which are printed the technical names of trees. • Sonic of these torn and bitten medals have been sent to a museum for preservation as curiosity. Squirrels are not so omnivorous that they will eat lead as a food ; but they have irritable teeth that need con• tinual filing ; and the labels have been graciously accepted as a handy instrument for the purpose.

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