HARE KIND. 145 



The squirrel is a beautiful little animal,* which 

 is but half savage ; and which, from the gentle- 

 ness and innocence of its manners, deserves our 

 protection. It is neither carnivorous nor hurt- 

 ful ; its usual food is fruits, nuts, and acorns ; it 

 is cleanly, nimble, active, and industrious ; its 

 eyes are sparkling, and its physiognomy marked 

 with meaning. It generally, like the hare and 

 rabbit, sits up on its hinder legs, and uses the 

 fore-paws as hands j these have five claws or toes, 

 as they are called, and one of them is separated 

 from the rest like a thumb. This animal seems 

 to approach the nature of birds, from its lightness, 

 and surprising agility on the tops of trees. It 

 seldom descends to the ground, except in case of 

 storms, but jumps from one branch to another ; 

 feeds, in spring, on the buds and young shoots ; 

 in summer, on the ripening fruits, and particu- 

 larly the young cones of the pine tree. In autumn 

 it has an extensive variety to feast upon ; the 

 acorn, the filbert, the chesnut, and the wilding. 

 This season of plenty, however, is not spent in 

 idle enjoyment : the provident little animal gathers 

 at that time its provisions for the winter ; and 

 cautiously foresees the season when the forest 

 shall be stripped of its leaves and fruitage. 



Its nest is generally formed among the large 

 branches of a great tree, where they begin to fork 

 off into small ones. After choosing the place 

 where the timber begins to decay, and a hollow 

 may the more easily be formed, the squirrel be- 



* Buffon. 

 VOL. III. K 



