SQUIRRELS, GOOD AND BAD 143 



them at once in evident distress. If they are near 

 the mouth of the hole, so that she can reach them 

 without leaving the nest entirely, she puts out her 

 head, seizes the youngsters by the neck or back with 

 her teeth and pulls them in after her, one by one. 

 But if she has to leave the nest altogether she picks 

 the children up, turns around and pushes them into 

 the hole before her. A flying-squirrel once disturbed 

 in this way is not likely to allow the matter to pass 

 unheeded. She is almost sure to remove her family 

 to a new home at the first opportunity." 



Taken young, and fed on milk and vegetables 

 until they get their growth, they form delight- 

 ful pets, though mischievous ones, unless 

 their activity is curbed. It is from captive 

 specimens, indeed, that we have learned most 

 that we know as to the habits, tastes and dispo- 

 sitions of these secretive little creatures. 



