WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



would come to the edge nearest him and cry to be 

 taken up. *' If I extended my arm and approached 

 it, the Httle creature, trembHng with delight, would 

 stand on its hind -legs and leap upon my hand, 

 thence running either up my sleeve or down my 

 neck/' 



Every one who has kept these squirrels has a 

 similar story to tell; and an escape from the cage 

 at night is always known, for they will go straight 

 to where their master is sleeping and crawl into 

 bed with him, to cuddle as close to his body as they 

 can. 



The common flying-squirrel of the eastern United 

 States is about ten inches in total length, Cana- 

 dian specimens running somewhat larger. The 

 color is yellowish brown above and creamy white 

 below; but Northern specimens are likely to be 

 gray and ''cold" in tone as compared with the 

 brighter colors of Southern examples. ''Its eyes 

 are unusually large and prominent and perfectly 

 black, and its fur is of much the same quality as 

 chinchilla, and of even softer tints. The flying 

 membrane consists of a thin strip of skin stretched 

 between the fore and hind legs and furred above 

 and below. A slight cartilaginous support runs 

 back from the wrist, assisting to extend the mem- 



200 



