190 



THE ENGLISH SQUIRREL. 



brownish black on the back, the top of the head yellowish, and the 

 .sides and abdomen golden yellow. 



The Jelerang is rather common in the countries which it inhabits, 

 and, as it is very retiring in its habits and dreads the proximity of 

 mankind, it is not so mischievous a neighbor as is the case with the 

 greater number of the Squirrels. It lives chiefly in the depths of the 

 forests, and feeds upon the wild fruits that grow without any aid from 

 the hand of mankind. It is easily tamed, and, being an active, amus- 

 ing animal, as well as possessed of a beautifully marked coat, is often 

 domesticated among the inhabitants of the same country. The flesh of 

 the Jelerang is thought to be very good, and is eaten by the natives. 



Every one is familiar with the lively English Squirrel, which 

 makes the woods joyous with its active gambols, and is so often re- 

 paid for its gayety by being captured and compelled to make sport 

 for its owner within the narrow precincts of a wire cage. 



This little an- 

 imal is plentiful in 

 many parts of 

 England, and in- 

 deed is generally 

 ibund wherever 

 tliere is a tolerably 

 large copse, or a 

 wood of moderate 

 dimensions. In 

 private grounds 

 and parks it luxu- 

 riates, knowing in- 

 stinctively that it 

 may wander at its 

 own will, uncheck- 

 ed and unharmed. 

 Among the tree 

 branches its pow- 

 The Squirrel {Sciurus Europceus). g].g of activity are 



absolutely surprising, for it will fling itself through such distances, and 

 at such a height, that it seems likely to be dashed to pieces every in- 

 stant. Yet it very seldom makes a false step, and even if it should 

 lose its foothold, it is not at all disconcerted, but spreads out its legs 

 and bushy tail to their utmost expansion, so that it presents a large 

 surface to the air, and comes quite lightly to the earth, even though it 

 may have leaped from a considerable height. 



On the ground it is not so much at its ease as when it is careering 

 amid the branches of some large tree, and, as soon as it feels alarmed, 



