706 SCIURIDAE—SCIURUS 
or curiosity, it usually emerges into full view, often within easy 
gunshot, and, neglecting to make good its escape, sits chattering, 
swearing, and stamping its feet, a charming picture of fuss and 
impudence. On such occasions, as Sir H. Johnston observes, 
its voice is capable of considerable variation, ranging from a 
series of metallic ‘“clacks” to a rapid succession of spitting 
squeaks. | 
Much of the Squirrel’s characteristic appearance is due to 
its tail, an appendage with a great variety of uses and playing 
the chief part in almost every incident in its owner's career. 
In climbing, running, swimming, or leaping, the tail is directed 
straight backwards, serving as a balancer, rudder, or combined 
with the horizontally spread limbs and the distended loose 
integument of the flanks as a parachute. In sleep it covers 
and warms the whole lateral and dorsal portions of the body. 
When the animal is more or less quiescent the tail is bent 
abruptly forwards along the back towards the head, the tip 
slightly recurved outwards. At such times the various 
emotions are expressed apparently by a series of jerks of the 
tail, which may perform the part of a banner of defiance, or a 
lure to a genuine or sportive adversary. To enable it to play 
its varied roles, the tail possesses extraordinary mobility, and 
is provided with special muscles whereby the arrangement of 
the hairs may be suited to fit each passing mood. The hairs 
may at will be horizontally flattened for purposes of balance, or 
each hair may stick out directly from the central support, so 
that the outline of the tail is circular like the plume of a 
hussar’s busby. The latter shape is affected especially when 
another Squirrel is the subject of sport or defiance; the hairy 
tail is literally thrust into the mouth of the adversary, and is 
used as an invulnerable hairy vanguard to excite and confuse 
the enemy. 
The Squirrel has little fear of the proximity of man; it 
often enters the pleasure-grounds of large towns, and indeed 
frequently courts the vicinity of houses, being, doubtless, 
attracted by the produce of their gardens; of diurnal habits, it 
is frequently visible, in such circumstances, from the windows 
of houses surrounded by woods. If fed and encouraged—and 
nothing, from bread to a chicken-bone, comes amiss to it—it 
