174 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



make pretty pets, but only the flying squirrel becomes 

 entirely tame ; the others are apt to bite their own master, 

 when they get older. 



The enemies of the tree squirrels are about the same as those 

 of the chipmunk. When a squirrel is pursued by an enemy, 

 it often jumps boldly from a very high limb, and always 

 lands safely on another tree or on the ground. When sail- 

 ing through the air, they spread their legs and stretch out their 

 tail, and sail like a parachute. The flying squirrels can do 

 this best, because their fore and hind limbs are connected 

 by a fold of skin. 



The flesh of all squirrels is edible ; but I believe you will 

 all agree with me, that it is much more interesting to study 

 a live squirrel in the woods than to eat the dead squirrel. 



The teacher should always encourage pupils to make original ob- 

 servations, and should occasionally give them an opportunity to report 

 on them. Children never tire of observing plants and animals out- 

 doors. Let some boy tell how squirrels hide themselves on trees, 

 when they are hunted or pursued. 



20. The Gray Rabbit, Cottontail. Lepus sylvaticus. 



MATERIAL : Picture or mounted rabbit. As the rabbit is a game 

 animal, a freshly killed and unmangled specimen may be used to good 

 advantage. Clean skulls of rabbits and other gnawers for comparison. 

 Twigs and young trees, from which rabbits have eaten the bark. 



In our study of common mammals, we must not omit 

 "Brer Rabbit." He is at home from Massachusetts to 

 Florida, and west to the prairies of Minnesota. 



OUTLINE FOR LESSON 



1. Unlike squirrels, rabbits cannot climb trees ; but their 

 long hind legs enable them to run very fast; uphill they 

 can run better than downhill. 



2. Their large incisors show them to be gnawers, or 

 rodents, like squirrels, rats, and mice ; but they have four 



