SQUIRRELS 5 



black squirrel, since its parachute would be pro- 

 portionately large ? 



The tails of the squirrels are broad and long 

 and flat, not short and small like those of go- 

 phers, chipmunks, woodchucks, and other ground 

 rodents, and when they leap or fall through the 

 air the tail is arched and rapidly vibrates. A 

 squirrel's tail, therefore, is something more than 

 ornament, something more than a flag ; it not 

 only aids him in flying, but it serves as a cloak, 

 which he wraps about him when he sleeps. 



In making the flying leap I have described 

 the animals' legs are widely extended, their bodies 

 broadened and flattened, the tail stiffened and 

 slightly curved, and a curious tremulous motion 

 runs through all. It is very obvious that a delib- 

 erate attempt is made to present the broadest sur- 

 face possible to the air, and I think a red squirrel 

 might leap from almost any height to the ground 

 without serious injury. Our flying squirrel is 

 in no proper sense a flyer. On the ground he 

 is more helpless than a chipmunk, because less 

 agile. He can only sail or slide down a steep 

 incline from the top of one tree to the foot of 

 another. The flying squirrel is active only at 

 night; hence its large, soft eyes, its soft fur, and 

 its gentle, shrinking ways. It is the gentlest 

 and most harmless of our rodents. A pair of 



