232 WOODLAND CREATURES 



to see one that has been disturbed when on the 

 ground race for a tree, and then, having got 

 out of reach, turn round and abuse the intruder. 

 Having reached a high place, where it feels safe, 

 it will turn round, sit up, and jerk out, its plume- 

 like tail waving at each bob, the sounds " Vut ! 

 vut ! vut ! " in rapid succession. The more 

 annoyed it gets, the more vigorous are its jerks, 

 until it seems as if it must shake itself off the 

 branch in its annoyance and excitement. Indeed, 

 a squirrel up a tree will indulge in as much 

 vulgar abuse as a small street boy safe out of 

 reach. 



Though the squirrel does not hesitate to 

 show itself when it knows that it is safe, yet no 

 creature understands better the art of keeping 

 out of sight, and of seeing without being seen. 

 The first hint of a possible foe causes it to pop 

 round the nearest tree trunk, and it then takes 

 care to keep several feet of " heart of oak " 

 between it and the enemy, dodging backwards 

 and forwards as the foe shifts his position. 

 One must indeed have sharp eyes to distinguish 

 that little head just peeping round the tree. For 

 one thing a squirrel's colour blends wonderfully 

 well with its surroundings. I do not mean to 

 assert that its beautiful red-brown coat is a 

 matter of protective adaptation, for probably any 

 other shade of brown would be as difficult to see, 

 but it is far from being conspicuous. In winter 

 you are apt to overlook a squirrel, taking it for 

 a bunch of dry leaves, and in summer it seems 



