1882-83.] Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. 99 



set upon the terrier with deadly intent, much to that creature's 

 horror and the owner's indignation, who seemed to consider the 

 remedy much worse than the disease. It was at that time the 

 height of our ambition to get a run through the woods with Twist ; 

 but as he had a supreme contempt for boys, it was difficult to enlist 

 him as a member of the expedition. If, however, he could be 

 coaxed within sight of the wood, the victory was ours, as Twist 

 dearly loved a hunt ; but to get him thus far we had to resort to 

 stratagem, and at regular intervals we threw him a piece of bread, 

 and so got him to follow bit by bit. But if the supply failed, or if 

 he considered the piece too small, or the distance too great, he had 

 no scruples in breaking his implied contract, and would then turn 

 quietly on his heel and make for home. In addition to other 

 accomplishments, he would recover a stone thrown into a field of 

 standing corn with the same ease that he would take it from the 

 bottom of several of the deepest pools in the river. On returning 

 from a fishing expedition, it was customary to send Twist on before 

 to announce the arrival of the party, so that the patience of hungry 

 people would not be unduly taxed ; and he would return again with- 

 out partaking of any food himself, even though it was proffered to 

 him. Every dog has his day, but Twist has more ; for even now 

 not a few recall with pleasure many enjoyable excursions under his 

 guidance, during which unwittingly they acquired much interesting 

 knowledge regarding bird and animal life. 



The favourite of all the pets, however, was a beautiful squirrel, 

 which was caught when quite young. It quickly made friends 

 with all the other inhabitants, and exhibited a fearlessness and con- 

 fidence which made it particularly interesting. It had not the 

 slightest element of shyness in its composition, so far as animals of 

 any kind were concerned ; and I remember, on one occasion, a 

 member of the family having received a present of a large cat, it 

 became necessary that the new-comer be introduced to its future 

 companions. Accordingly the proceedings were opened by the in- 

 troduction of the squirrel, and, so far as the cat was concerned, they 

 ended there. The cat was made much of, and as it lay purring 

 contentedly on the knee, the squirrel was heard coming along the 

 passage, with the peculiar sound which the strange formation of 

 the hind legs gives to the movement of this animal over any hard 

 substance. On hearing his name called, he at once obeyed the 

 summons, and fearlessly climbed to where the cat lay, thrusting his 

 nose in its face. It was no use trying to hold the cat, for with a 

 terrified spring it made for the outer door, and disappeared, never 

 more to return. The squirrel's abode was a drawer of the kitchen 

 dresser, and it took possession of an old stocking therein, into 

 which it used to creep, where it lay as snug as possible. Occasion- 

 ally, however, it took a fancy to the pockets of one or other of the 



