THE SQUIRREL. 351 



additions of the editor, — gives a most interesting account of 

 squirrel-sJwoting. 



If all our readers would peruse the articles referred to in the 

 above publication, they would have nothing further to learn on 

 the subject, save a few hints as to the habits of the animal. 



VARIETIES OF SQUIRRELS. 



" There are no less than sixty or seventy varieties of this genus 

 described by naturalists, of which twenty well-determined species 

 exist in North America." 



HABITS, LOCALITY, AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 



The habits of the whole race of squirrels are nearly akin ; and 

 their bodies are covered with long, soft, and beautiful fur, and 

 furnished with a long, wiry, and bushy tail, which latter appendage 

 adds greatly to their graceful appearance, as they are all alike 

 remarkable for their sprightliness, agility, and elegance of form. 



Squirrels are at all times, even in a state of captivity, of a 

 restless, active disposition. In their native wilds they are ever 

 frolicsome and gay, jumping from tree to tree. They pass their 

 time in joyousness and unrestrained freedom in the midst of the 

 rich abundance of our forests. When moving on the ground, the 

 squirrel seldom runs, but advances by a series of jumps. They 

 are of a sly, mercurial temperament, seldom remaining still for a 

 moment, except when alarmed ; then they will stretch themselves 

 out at full length, on the topmost branch of a high tree, on the 

 side opposite to the seat of danger, and thus remain perfectly 

 motionless, as if a part or parcel of the tree itself, until the cause 

 of the alarm has moved off. 



They generally build large nests formed of twigs, moss, and 

 leaves, in the notches of the highest forest-trees, or take up their 

 abode in hollow trunks, or burrow in the ground. 



The whole race of squirrels is very prolific ; and some species 

 increase so rapidly and to such a surprising extent in certain 

 sections of country that they actually become a severe scourge to 



