So ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



not merely as nurseries, but for resting places. There may be 

 several of these in adjacent trees or in the one to which the 

 builder is specially attached. Some of these may be crows' or 

 magpies' nests adapted for the new tenants, or may be wholly 

 the Squirrel's work. They are bulky structures composed of 

 twigs, strips of thin bark, moss, and leaves ; sometimes cup- 

 shaped, others domed. These are usually known as "dreys' 1 ; 



Skeleton of Squirrel. 



but in parts of Surrey they are "jugs," squaggy-jugs to give 

 them their full name. The breeding nest is a huge ball (unless 

 there is a roomy hollow in the trunk that can be upholstered) 

 with a side entrance. Here in summer the three or four blind 

 and naked young are born, and they remain with their parents 

 until themselves adult. 



The food of the Squirrel is fairly varied. In pine woods 

 the cones provide the staple dish, and the ground beneath a 



