HUNTING THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 3G 



extending its limbs and the intervening membranes, its body is 

 buoyed up, and sails swiftly and obliquely downwards, passing 

 over considerable space. To aid in this sailing movement, we 

 find the whole body covered with a short and silky fur, lying 

 close -to the skin. The tail is flattened, and serves as a rudder. 



During the day-light the flying squirrel is rarely to be met 

 with abroad, unless it has been disturbed. Occasionally large 

 troops are seen together, and their sailing leaps have been said 

 to present to the inexperienced the appearance of a large number 

 of leaves blown off the trees. Their peculiar construction ana 

 habit render them very unfit for living on the ground, and they 

 speedily regain the nearest tree, when at any time they fall short 

 of the object towards which they may have leaped. They always 

 take advantage of the wind, when about to leap to any distance, 

 and then they appear to deserve the name of flying squirrels, 

 from the ease and velocity of their movements. 



Individuals are frequently tamed as pets, but are more admired 

 on account of the softness of their fur, and the gentleness of their 

 dispositions, than for any of the frolicsome and amusing actions 

 that characterize other squirrels. When confined in a cage with 

 a reel appended, they continue running almost uninterruptedly 

 throughout the night. 



The flying squirrel makes its nest in hollow trees, where it 

 brings forth three or four young at a litter. It is very easy to 

 ascertain whether this squirrel has a nest in any hollow tree, by 

 knocking against the trunk with a stone or stick ; as soon as the 

 jarring is felt, the animal comes to the opening and endeavors to 

 escape. In this way the young are very commonly discovered 

 and taken. 



The flying squirrel is quite small, being little more than foar 

 inches and a half long, the tail being three inches and a half in 

 length. 



The general color is a brownish ash, with rounded, nearly 

 naked ears, and large prominent black eyes. The under parts 

 of the body are white, with a yellowish margin, where the cck>t 

 oi the back and belly approach each other. 



