The Estimation of the Food of Foxes

Abstract

neck banded with this marker. Three squirrels found dead within one week of banding retained their bands, three squirrels retained their bands three months or more, and three squirrels had lost their bands after three months. The size of the band used on gray squirrels was found to be very critical. One collar is known to have been removed by the squirrel by slipping the collar over its head. Another was evidently bitten in two, but it is not known if this was accomplished by its wearer or another squirrel. A collar that was evidently too tight caused a lesion on the neck of one squirrel. No marker is known to have been lost because it was insecurely attached. While sufficient time has not elapsed to judge adequately the durability of this method of attachment, the indications are that it may be as secure as the jesse knot method. According to a recent communication from the Cee-Bee Manufacturing Co., 76 N. 4th St., Brooklyn 11, N.Y., which produces the marking material used in this study, six widths, #22-0 1/2-inch (20 yards per pound), #10-0 %-inch (19 yards per pound), #138-0 1-inch (19 yards per pound), #10-0 11/2inch (10 yards per pound), #10-0 2-inch (7 yards per pound), and #196-0 21/-inch (6 yards per pound) are currently being marketed. This material is available in black, white, red, Nile green, Kelly green, royal blue, light blue, navy blue, yellow, pink, lavender, purple, orange, tan, light brown, and dark brown. The #10-0 3/-inch material used on boat-tailed grackles, black-necked stilts, and gray squirrels during this study is no longer available. A #5203 Keysort Card Punch obtained from The McBee Co., Athens, Ohio, was u ed in converting the 1/2-inch material into markers.