( 285 ) 



and of courfe well looked "after. There are 

 many dry, fandy knolls, where colonies of 

 thefe inmates are fettled ; which are not among 

 the leaft amufing of the minute inhabitants of 

 the foreft. 



In the fame clafs we rank the fquirrel. He 

 is not of confequence to be numbered among 

 the piclurefque ornaments of a fcene : but his 

 form, and manners ; his activity, and feats of 

 dexterity, are very amufing. On extraordinary 

 occafions, when he is agitated by love, or 

 anger, his mufcles acquire tenfold elafticity. 

 He descends a tree in. a rapid fpiral, as quick 

 as thought darts up another in an oppofite 

 direction flings himfelf from tree to tree with 

 amazing exactnefs and purfues his mate, 

 or his rival, among the mazy branches of an 

 oak, with a velocity that eludes the fight. 



Pheafants alfo greatly abound in many parts 

 of the foreft. In the manors of Beaulieu, 

 Fawley, and other places, where they are 

 protected, they multiply beyond belief. They 

 arc feen often in flocks feeding like poultry, 



in 



