COMMON SQUIRREL. 75 



28. SQUIRREL TRIBE. 



It is impossible for any quadrupeds to be much more 

 light and agile in their motions, than some of the species 

 of Squirrels. They live in holes of decayed trees. None 

 of them eat animal food. 



Common Squirrel. The sprightliness and activity of 

 this beautiful little animal are singularly graceful and 

 interesting. With the utmost security it runs up the 

 stems, and leaps and wantons about amongst the branches 

 of trees, and will even spring from one tree to another, 

 and thus pass over a considerable space of forest without 

 once coming to the ground. The nest of the squirrel is 

 formed betwixt the forked branches of trees ; it is co- 

 vered on all sides, and has a small opening near the top, 

 to admit of the animals passing backward and forward. 

 This nest is formed of moss, dry leaves, and sticks, inter- 

 woven very compactly together, and rendered soft and 

 commodious within. Squirrels feed on fruit, nuts, and 

 acorns ; and of the latter, they lay up a store sufficient 

 for their winter's support. They are easily rendered 

 tame ; but are of a nature so chilly, that they eagerly 

 creep into any place where they can have warmth* And 

 though, in general, sufficiently mild and gentle, they have 

 frequently been known, when irritated, to bite with great 

 severity. 



The ears of the Squirrel end in long tufts of hair. Its 

 tail, which is generally carried over the back, is broad 

 and bushy, the hairs extending towards each side. The 

 colour, both of the upper parts of the body and the tail, 

 is reddish brown ; and that of the neck, breast, and belly, 

 white. 



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