ANIMALS. 307 



the scorching heat of the sun, whicli it seems to feiir, and froni 

 the storms and inclemency of winter, which it is still less capable 

 of supporting. Its provision of nuts and acorns is seldom in its 

 nest, but in the hollows of the tree, laid up carefully together, 

 and never touched but in cases of necessity. Thus one single 

 tree serves for a retreat and a storehouse ; and without leaving 

 it during the winter, the squirrel possesses all those enjoyments 

 that its nature is capable of receiving. But it sometimes hap- 

 pens that its little mansion is attacked by a deadly and powerful 

 foe. The martin goes often in quest of a retreat for its young, 

 which it is incapable of making for itself; for this reason it fixes 

 upon the nest of a squirrel, and, with double injustice, destroys 

 the tenant, and then takes possession of the mansion. 



However, this is a calamity that but seldom happens : and, of 

 all other animals, the squirrel leads the most frolicsome playful 

 life, being surrounded with abundance, and having few enemies 

 to fear. They are in heat early in spring ; when, as a modern 

 naturalist says,* it is very diverting to see the female feigning an 

 escape from the pursuit of two or three males, and to observe 

 the various proofs which they give of their agility, which is then 

 exerted in full force. Nature seems to have been particular in 

 her formation of these animals for propagation -. however, they 

 seldom bring forth above four or five young at a time ; and that 

 but once a year. The time of their gestation seems to be about 

 six weeks ; they are pregnant in the begiiniing of April, and 

 bring forth about the middle of May. 



The squirrel is never found in the open fields, nor yet in 

 copses or underwoods : it always keeps in the midst of the tallest 

 trees, and, as much as possible, shims the habitations of men. 

 It is extremely watchful ; if the tree in which it resides be but 

 touched at the bottom, the squirrel instantly takes the alarm, 

 quits its nest, at once flies off to another tree, and thus travels, 

 with great ease, along the tops of the forest, until it finds itself 

 perfectly out of danger. In this manner it continues for some 

 tiours at a distance from home, until the alarm be past away ; 

 and then it retm-ns, by paths that to all quadrupeds but itself are 

 utterly impassable. Its usual way of moving is by bounds ; 

 these it takes from one tree to another, at forty feet distance; 

 and if at any time it is obliged to descend, it runs up the side of 

 i British Zoology. 



