140 ANIMALS OF THE 



gins by making a kind of a level between the 

 forks ; and then, bringing moss, twigs, and dry 

 leaves, it binds them together with great art, so 

 as to resist the most violent storm. This is 

 covered up on all sides, and has but a single 

 opening at top, which is just large enough to ad- 

 mit the little animal ; and this opening is itself 

 defended from the weather by a kind of canopy, 

 made in the fashion of a cone, so that it throws 

 off the rain, though never so heavy. The nest 

 thus formed, with a very little opening above, is, 

 nevertheless, very commodious and roomy below ; 

 soft, well knit together, and every way convenient 

 and warm. In this retreat the little animal brings 

 forth its young, shelters itself from the scorching 

 heat of the sun, which it seems to fear, and from 

 the storms and inclemency of winter, which it is 

 still less capable of supporting. Its provision of 

 nuts and acorns is seldom in its nest, but in the 

 hollows of the tree, laid up carefully together, 

 and never touched but in cases of necessity. Thus 

 one single tree serves for a retreat and a store- 

 house ; and without leaving it during the winter, 

 the squirrel possesses all those enjoyments that its 

 nature is capable of receiving. But it sometimes 

 happens that its little mansion is attacked by a 

 deadly and powerful foe. The martin goes often 

 in quest of a retreat for its young, which it is 

 incapable of making for itself: for this reason it 

 fixes upon the nest of a squirrel, and, with double 

 injustice, destroys the tenant, and then takes pos- 

 session of the mansion. 



