16 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



torpidity all winter. The warmth of the sun 

 has woke him up and brought him out. 



" Drawn from his refuge in some lonely elm, 

 That age or injury has hollow'd deep, 

 Where, on his bed of wool and matted leaves, 

 He has slept the winter, ventures forth 

 To frisk a while, and bask in the warm sun." 



Cow per. 



During the cold months of the year he hiber- 

 nates. He does not migrate or go south to 

 warmer climes in winter like our summer 

 migrants, nature not adapting him for long 

 travel, although it is said he will use a piece 

 of bark as a boat to cross the stream, using 

 his bushy tail for a sail and rudder. One 

 summer afternoon I watched for some time 

 the movements of a Squirrel as he played 

 around. My presence was unknown to him, 

 and when he approached me in a direct line I 

 stood quite still, and he ran up my leg and 

 right up to my chin, when, growing anxious 

 about my face, I gave a start, and he retraced 



