XI 

 A BUNDLE OF INIQUITY 



THE common squirrel of India is a fur- 

 covered bundle of iniquity. He is a bigger 

 rascal than either the crow or the sparrow. 

 I am aware that these statements will not 

 be believed by many residents of Northern India. I 

 am sorry, but the truth must be told. Let those who 

 will imagine Sciurus palmantm to be a pretty, fluffy 

 little creature, as charming as he is abundant. I know 

 better. I have sojourned in Madras. In Northern 

 India the little striped squirrel is merely one of the 

 many tribes that live on your frontier ; in South India 

 he is a stranger who dwells within your gates. We who 

 are condemned to residence in the plains of Northern 

 India keep our bungalows shut up during the greater 

 part of the year in order to protect ourselves from the 

 heat, or the cold, or the dust, or whatever climatic 

 ill happens to be in season. And when the weather does 

 permit us to open our doors we have to guard them 

 by means of chiks from the hordes of insects that are 

 always ready to rush in upon us. Thus we keep the 

 squirrel at arm's length. In Madras you lead a very 

 different life. The gentle breeze is always welcome, 

 you rarely, if ever, close the doors of your bungalow, for 



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