ACQUAINTANCES OF THE WOODS. 



Squirrels. 



The hot sun of a May or June afternoon sends you into the cool, 

 quiet woods. You may not want to form any new acquaintances. 

 It is pleasant to be lazy in the woods ; to listen to the song of the 

 wood birds, to hear the hammering of the woodpecker, and to look 

 up at the sky through the tree tops. 



Suddenly a little yellowish gray creature appears. There is a 

 rusty color along the middle of his back and tail. You look into his 

 inquisitive bright eyes. You knovv^ it is the red squirrel. He does 

 rot fear you. " The sylvan folk seem to know when you are on 

 a peaceful mission 

 and are less afraid 

 than usual." Can 

 you refuse to make 

 the acquaintance 

 of the merry little 

 fellow ? Can you 

 resist taking an in- 



terest in his cheer- 

 fulness, his content- 

 ment, his clever- 

 ness, his love of 

 mischief ; and I 

 must add, his con- 

 ceited little wa^^s ? 

 Let him come into 



Red Squirrel. 



your heart. You will not find any of the w^ood-folk more compan- 

 ionable than he. Keep up the acquaintance all through the year 

 How much will you learn of his history in that time ? 



1. Does the red squirrel hibernate ; that is, does he go into winter 

 quarters? Have you ever seen him out on cold days? » 



2. Wliat does he eat ? Does he store up food when there is plenty ? 



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