FLYING SQUIRRELS. 9 r 



and if such a tree be discovered the creatures may be induced to come forth one 

 after another by tapping the stem. With regard to the flying leaps of the 

 American flying squirrel, Dr. Merriam observes that " the ease, grace, and rapidity 

 with which it glides from tree to tree inspires the merest passer-by with wonder 

 and admiration. Its ordinary mode of progression is by a series of alternate 

 climbs and leaps. Upon reaching a tree, the first act is to ascend, for, being 

 unable to sail horizontally, it must attain a considerable elevation before venturing 

 to leap to the next. Instead of moving off in this way when disturbed, it some- 

 times runs up into the topmost branches of the nearest tree, and, curling itself 

 into a surprisingly small compass, remains motionless until the intruder has taken 

 his departure." 



The earlier writers, Audubon and Bachman also describe very graphically the 



AMERICAN FLYING SQUIKREL (^ liat. size) 



movements of a colony of these animals they once encountered. '" At times, they 

 write, " one would be seen darting from the topmost branches of a tall oak, and 

 with wide extended membranes and outspread tail gliding diagonally through the 

 air, till it reached the foot of a tree about fifty yards off, when at the moment we 

 expected to see it strike the earth, it suddenly turned upwards and alighted on 

 the body of the tree. It would then run to the top and once more precipitate 

 itself from the upper branches and sail back again to the tree it had just left. 

 Crowds of these little creatures joined in these sportive gambols ; there could not 

 have been less than two hundred. Scores of them would leave each tree at the 

 same moment, seeming to have no other object in view than to indulge a playful 

 propensity." In America the flying squirrels breed early in April. 



The American flying squirrel, if taken sufficiently young, can be readily and 

 speedily tamed, and forms a most charming pet. Indeed, it is said that they 

 become tame and thoroughly confiding much sooner than any other kind of wild 



