During the month of August, Castle Crest Wildflower Garden has an abundant growth of many varieties of wildflowers. In addition, it is often frequented by many of the animals that make their homes in the park.

I was enjoying the half mile stroll through the gardens on August 2, 1955, when I came upon a chickaree, Tamiasciurus douglasi (Bachman), eating a fungus-like growth at the base of a lodgepole pine, While I was watching this squirrel for several minutes he appeared to pay very little attention to me and kept eating busily away. When I moved closer to see what he was eating, the chickaree scampered up the tree carrying his lunch with him. Apparently the item was greatly relished. When the squirrel reached a higher branch, he resumed his eating.

Being curious about the nature of his meal, I tossed a few pieces of pumice near him, and the chickaree dropped his fungus near the base of the tree. It was later identified tentatively as false truffle, Rhizopogon rubescen, by Wm. Bridge Cooke, Mycologist, U. S. Public Health Service, Cincinnati, Ohio, to whom appreciation is expressed for making the determination.

Chickarees often carry mushrooms up trees and store them under loose bark or in the fork of a limb, intending to return later and eat them (Cahalane, 1947; Palmer, 1954). Apparently this fellow wanted to take no chances on having his delicacy stolen from him and was going to finish if off immediately. Save for an interruption by a curious naturalist, perhaps he would have completed his feast.

References

Cahalane, Victor H. 1947. Mammals of North America. New York, The Macmillan Co. x, 682 pp.

Palmer, Ralph S. 1954. The Mammal Guide. Garden City, New York Doubleday & Co., inc. 384 pp.