SQUIRRELS. 205 



among tlicm that we find the high intellectual develop- 

 ment with which many other animals are gifted. 



Squirrels are some of the most beautiful of the Ro- 

 dentia, and chiefly live in trees. The fur of some of 

 the species is extremely beautiful and valuable. They 

 are very active, elegant little creatures, and easily 

 tamed, when they become very playful and affectionate. 

 A friend of mine was deprived of her own daughter, 

 and the lost one's pet squirrel was of course cherished 

 and loved. The little creature used to run up the lady's 

 arm, and seat itself on her shoulder, caress her with its 

 head, nestle itself into her neck, and drink her tears. 

 As long as it lived, it was never caressed by the mother 

 without first looking in her face for the drops which it 

 had been accustomed to remove. 



These animals have a large bushy tail, the hair of 

 which spread out on each side like a feather ; and by it 

 they are guided and supported when they leap. The 

 flying squirrels, as they are called, have an expansion 

 of the skin of the sides, which extends between the hind 

 and fore-legs, by which they are suspended in the air 

 when passing from tree to tree, and by it are enabled 

 to go to greater distances, without being actually able 

 to fly, as their name would imply. The general colour 

 of the English squirrel is red in summer ; but in winter 

 they often assume a greyish tint, at which time they 

 have long pencils of hair at the top of their ears. This 

 grey becomes more decided in more northern climates ; 

 and occasionally they are black. They always live in 

 pairs, and sometimes are gregarious, inhabiting burrows. 

 They lay up stores of provisions in different places ; 

 but they sleep the greater part of the cold months, 

 their tails turned over them to keep them warm, having 



