SQUIRREL. 79 



The Squirrel is one of the most picturesque of our small 

 mammals, especially when seen sitting on his haunches on ?. 

 tree branch, his plumy tail curled up his back, his tufted ears 

 erect, and his forepaws holding a nut ; or when making his 

 prodigious leap from bough to bough. He is not nearly so big 

 a creature as he looks under these conditions, for if we could 

 pass the tape over him from the end of his snout to the tip of 

 his tail proper (that is, not including the hairs that extend 

 beyond the tip), we should find he only measures about fifteen 

 and a half inches, and of this length seven inches, or nearly 

 half, is provided by the tail. Examine his feet, and you will 

 see that they are adapted eminently for climbing. The fore-feet 

 have four fingers and a rudimentary thumb, and the hind feet 

 have five toes ; the claws long, curved and sharp-pointed, and 

 the soles hairy. The muzzle is well furnished with " whiskers/' 

 the prominent eyes are black and bright, and the large, pointed 

 ears bear tufts of long hairs in winter. The hind limbs are 

 much longer than the fore limbs, and the heel of the long foot 

 touches the surface upon which it rests. The upper parts and 

 tail are brownish red and the under parts white. Before 

 winter, when the fur becomes softer and thicker, a -grey tinge is 

 developed on the sides, and the ear-tufts become longer and 

 bushy ; these are shed in the breeding season (early summer). 

 At times it may be found with the tail of a creamy tint. 



One of the Squirrel's strong claims to popular favour is his 

 diurnal habits, which makes him better known by all who 

 wander in the woods ; in one sense it is a pity it is so, for in 

 the neighbourhood of large towns the " sporting instinct " of 

 'Any has led him to kill or mutilate the Squirrel with sticks and 

 stones. Not many years ago the numerous Squirrels that added 

 to the attractions of Richmond Park were shot by the keepers 

 to prevent 'Arry killing them ! Ordinary intelligences thought 

 it would have been better to have disciplined 'Arry. 



The Squirrel builds nests in the branches of the trees it affects, 



