i OUR GRAY SQUIRRELS 9 



and then swing back and forth with the greatest 

 glee, just like boys who discover a grape-vine in 

 the woods or a dangling rope in a gymnasium. 

 These and many similar antics seem to be done 

 "just for fun." 



The kittens continue to be nursed by the mother 

 until they have grown to be almost as heavy as 

 herself. It seems impossible that her system can 

 stand such a drain, in fact she does grow weak 

 and thin, and my neighbor, who has been an ex- 

 tremely close observer of their economy for several 

 years, has come to the conclusion that the mother 

 weans the kittens gradually by giving them food 

 which she has regurgitated, or, at any rate, has 

 thoroughly chewed up in her own mouth. 



No animal is more motherly than one of these 

 parent squirrels, and it is delightful to watch her 

 behavior when the nearly grown brood has begun 

 to make short excursions, and is undergoing in- 

 struction. All the other families in the grove take 

 an interest in the proceedings, and chatter about it 

 at a great rate ; but if one comes too near and at- 

 tempts any interference in the instruction, he is 

 likely to be driven away most vigorously by the 

 jealous mother. Every morning lessons in climb- 

 ing and nut-hunting are given, and pretty scenes 

 are enacted. The pride of the little mother as she 

 leads her train out on some aerial path is very 

 noticeable. They are slow and timid about follow- 

 ing. Squirrels must learn to balance themselves 



