SQUIRREL, AND FLYING SQUIRREL. 103 



is a different species from the domestic, chiefly subsists on 

 frogs, small fish, roots, and insects ; and itself becomes 

 sometimes the prey of the pike. 



THE SQUIRREL. 



Several species of squirrels are enumerated by zoolo- 

 gists ; such as the common, the Ceylon, the Abyssinian, the 

 Bombay, the ruddy, the grey, the black, the Hudson's-bay, 

 the varied, the fair, the Brazilian, the Mexican, the palm, 

 the white-nosed, the sailing, and the flying. These families 

 are all distinct from each other ; but a general idea may 

 be obtained of the whole race, from a description of the 

 first and the last. 



The common squirrel is a well-known, lively, and elegant 

 little animal. Its ears are terminated by long tufts of hair, 

 its tail is long and bushy, the legs are short and muscular, 

 and the nails sharp and strong. The head, body, tail, and 

 legs, are of a bright reddish colour ; the belly and breast 

 are white* 



This beautiful animal merits the benevolent protection 

 of man, on account of its docility and its innocence. It 

 usually feeds on fruits, nuts, and acorns ; and, with pro- 

 vident care, lays up in summer and autumn a sufficient 

 stock of provisions for its winter subsistence. It lodges 

 in the hollows of trees ; and, by its sportive bounds from 

 one tree to another, enlivens the sylvan scene, and seems 

 to tempt pursuit, though it generally knows how to frus- 

 trate the aims of its pursuer. 



The squirrel, of all quadrupeds, is the most completely 

 formed for climbing; and its agility is extreme. It is 

 easily tamed, and becomes very familiar. Fond of warmth, 

 it will creep into our pocket, our sleeve, or our bosom. 

 When provoked, it will bite with some severity ; but is far 

 from being naturally ferocious. 



THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 



This little animal, which is frequently imported into 

 our country, is less than the common species. Its skin, 

 F 4 



