PET ANIMALS. 3ll 



fore-paws, that are like hands, with which it carries everything to its 

 mouth, while the beautiful tail curls over its head, like a plume in a 

 cuirassier's helmet. In a wild state it lives upon nuts, acorns, leaf- 

 buds, beechrnast, the bark of certain trees, and even the young 

 tender growing branches. The nest, or dray, as it is called, is generally 

 built in the hollow of some old tree, similar to what the woodpecker 

 selects, and is formed of moss, twigs, and dry leaves. It breeds in 

 May or June, has four or five young ones at a time, and there is 

 nothing prettier to be found in our old English woods than a nest of 

 young squirrels. 



Though naturally a wild and timid animal, when caught young it 

 soon becomes so completely familiarized to a state of domestication, 

 that it may be suffered to run loose about the room, or even the 

 garden, without making the slightest effort, or evincing the least 

 inclination to return to its natural wild state. After gambolling and 

 frolicking about for a while, it will come back when called by name 

 to its protector (and it should have a name to answer to, Bob is as 

 good as any), and crawl over him, nestle in his bosom, and display 

 other signs of the strongest attachment. When taken and bred from 

 the nest, it may be taught to perform a variety of amusing little 

 tricks, such as to dive into the pockets for a nut ; to run after one 

 thrown along the ground, like a dog; to turn over head- and- heels; 

 to jump over a stick, or from one hand to the other, when held a 

 considerable distance apart; besides many others. Indeed, it has all 

 the docility, as well as the affectionate disposition, of a dog ; it will 

 recognise as soon the person of his master, and displays the same 

 fondness and attachment to him. 



There are various sorts of cages made for these little animals, 

 varying in price from five shillings to two or three sovereigns, or 

 even more. The one most generally in use is the circular- topped 

 cage, represented in the cut. But it is cruel to put so beautiful a 

 creature into such a cramped-up prison, 

 so fond of liberty as it is in its natural 

 state. It has a little sleeping- box, which 

 opens with a lid, so that the bed may be 

 changed, and the place cleaned out with- 

 out difficulty; this communicates with 



the open cage by means of a hole, just large enough to admit the 

 body of the animal, furnished with a sliding door, so as to be stopped 

 up or left open at pleasure. The outer cage is fitted up with a sliding 

 bottom and small tin trough for food ; the edges of the woodwork 

 must all be carefully covered with tin, otherwise the little tenant, by 

 continual gnawing, would not only greatly disfigure the cage, but 

 eventually effect his escape. The revolving or turn-about cage is 

 another often used, but this is decidedly objectionable; the motion 

 is an unnatural one, and must therefore subject the poor little pri- 

 soner, until he becomes accustomed to it, to a great deal of unne- 

 cessary torment. They are also sometimes kept fastened by means 

 of a small brass collar and chain, like a dog, to a little box or kennel, 

 with a platform in front; they must, however, be thoroughly tamed 



