GEESE DROWN A SQUIRREL.
Jack, a big gray squirrel, who, with his mate, Jill, inhabited theisland in the duck inclosure in the Bronx Park Zoo, New York City,sacrificed his life to his love of high living. It was this way:
Jack and Jill long ago discovered that by crossing over theten-foot-wide stream of water which separates the island from themainland on all sides they could reach a trough filled with corn,which was replenished daily, for the ducks and geese, which rightfullyinhabit the pond and island. A wire fence dividing the inclosure usedby the mallard ducks from that enjoyed by the Canada geese offered ameans of communication between the island and the corn trough, andJack and Jill long ago became expert in running along the top of thisticklish pathway.
Daily the two squirrels made pilgrimages to the corn trough, eaten torepletion, and then returned to the island. The ducks and the geesealways swam close to the fence, flapping their wings and utteringhoarse cries of rage, but were never able to catch the nimblesquirrels. Little by little, however, Jack lost his native agility ashe partook of more and more of the rich food, and when he started backfrom a particularly heavy feast he waddled slowly along the top of thefence instead of hopping nimbly along as had been his wont.
One of the mallards saw him and realized that he was too heavy and toowell fed to move hurriedly. The duck sounded a cry which brought allof its mates, and they attacked Jack viciously. The squirrel tried tohurry, but at last was pushed off the fence and fell into the pond.
In an instant he was surrounded by big Canada geese. Persons on shoresaw him fight desperately for life, but finally he was forced underwater. The geese churned the pond into a foam, and when they swammajestically away there was nothing to be seen of Jack.
Jill, who ran back and forth on the shore of the island while Jack wasfighting for his life, retired to a tree after the tragedy, and has notbeen seen since. Keepers think that she will not try to reach the corntrough any more.