MASTER IMPUDENCE 99 



"dray" in some aged tree — often a tamarind or a 

 banyan. As a rule they select a tree which is nearly 

 hollow, of which the gnarled trunk is riddled with holes. 

 Thus there are many entrances to the nest. 



Usually quite a colony lives in one tree, and as the 

 sun is setting the little mammals are fond of chasing 

 each other about the tree, dashing in and out of the 

 various holes in the trunk. There is such a tree in 

 the compound of the Adyar Club at Madras, which the 

 squirrels and the spotted owlet {Athene brama) have 

 altogether appropriated. Before it is quite dark the 

 squirrels retire to their lair, where they enjoy sweet 

 repose until the sun again shows his face. They then 

 emerge and bask for a little in his comfortable rays. 

 The sun bath over, the members of the colony leave 

 the tree, one by one, each to follow his own devices and 

 desires. 



