THE AMERICAN GREY SQUIRREL IN THE BRITISH ISLES. 197
had almost negative results. At Torquay one was seen in 1913,20
probably only a casual as I have not been able to ascertain that
there are any there now. At Exeter some agitation followed
the introduction of two pairs into the Rougemont Gardens
there on 15th June, 1915. They throve exceedingly and became
pests to the gardeners because of the destruction they did, and
an edict of destruction was given effect to by the authorities.
They had spread to some places near Exeter and an occasional
one is still seen. At Durward about twenty were shot and they
are said to be increasing in Stoke Wood. My informant adds:
"nobody has a good word for the creatures."21
Enquiries made in other south-western and western counties,
including Somerset, Gloucester, Worcester and Shropshire;
and also in North Wales, have brought forth only negative
information.
Buckinghamshire contains a number of colonies of the
grey squirrel, and there are authentic reports from many places
including Burnham Beeches (which is a stronghold), Stoke
Poges,22 Clieveden, Halton, Ivinghoe, the Aylesbury District,
where it appeared previous to the year 1910 (said to have spread
from Woburn, Beds), Shalstone Manor, Buckingham, Stowe,
Wakefield and Whaddon Chase. It is not everywhere in the
county, as there are none in the parishes of Hambledon, Turville
and Fingest.23 There are reports of its occurrence in the Chiltern
beech-woods, but it can scarcely be in any numbers there, as in
many visits I have never seen a specimen.
Berkshire is almost blank, the only note I have being that
a single grey squirrel was killed at Park Place, Wargrave, previous
to 1919.24
Oxfordshire.—A grey squirrel was shot by Mr. G. Tickner
about seven years ago in the Oxford District, and he believes
that they have spread from Nuneham where some were appar-
ently turned down a few years ago.25 Mr. O. V. Aplin writes
that in North Oxfordshire they spread from the east and north-
cast, about 1916, and that a local birdstuffer had quite fifty
to stuff in 1922.
20 fide Mr. T. A. Coward.
21 fide Mr. J. L. Sagar.
22 I am informed by Mr. M. C. Duchesne that about 200 were killed last year at Burnham
Beeches and by Mr. H. Howard-Vyse, 30 at Stoke Place.
23 fide Mr. Alfred H. Cocks.
24 fide The late Mr. Heatley Noble.
25 Mr. B. W. Tucker in lit. 5th February, 1923.