XXVI 



SOME PECULIAR PETS 



SOME of the most pleasing pets are found 

 among the rodents, the little fellows whose 

 teeth are so troublesome and require so much 

 looking after. There are the squirrels, to be- 

 gin with. Every one is frolicsome, neat, easy 

 to take care of, and altogether bewitching. 

 A squirrel of any sort likes a warm bed, out 

 of the reach of meddlesome children, plenty 

 of nuts to eat, and liberty for, like everybody 

 else, he hates a cage. The gray squirrel is 

 the most elegant of the tribe (unless we except 

 the black, who is not so often seen), and he is 

 intelligent and affectionate. The red squirrel 

 is one of the most lively of a wonderfully active 

 family, and is exceedingly inventive in pranks. 

 The chipmonk, though frisky enough, is said 

 to be the least interesting of his race, and the 

 flying-squirrel is rather quiet for one of his 

 kind, and entertaining only at night. 



