520 



RODENTIA. 



of our native Kodentia, Its nest is a structure 



which, in neatness and 

 beauty, may be com- 

 pared to the productions 

 of birds. It is usually 

 composed of blades of 

 grass, woven into a glo- 

 bular form about as large 

 as a cricket-ball, and so 

 compact that it may 

 be rolled across a table 

 without injury. It is 

 III' affixed to the stems of 

 weeds, or, as in the en- 

 graving, to the stalks of 

 growing corn. 



The Marmots (Arctomys *) 

 Lave short tails, short legs, 

 and a broad, flattened head. 

 They pass the winter in lethargy, 

 in deep holes, the entrance of 

 which they stop with hay ; they 

 are sociable little creatures, and 

 easily tamed. 



The Squirrels (Sciurus^) are at once recognised by their 

 long bushy tails : their head is large, their eyes projecting 

 and animated, and their form light. They are all re- 

 markable for their activity, live on trees, and feed upon 

 fruits. They are divided into Squirrels, properly so 

 called, and Flying Squirrels. 



The Common Squirrels (Sdurus vulgaris) are lively, graceful, little 

 animals, that inhabit woods, and make their nests upon the highest 

 parts of the loftiest trees. They build them in a spherical form, of 

 flexible twigs and moss, leaving an opening in the upper part, which 

 they take care to cover with a sort of conical roof to keep out the 

 rain. In this nest they pass a part of the day. In the evening they 

 are gay and full of sport, jumping from branch to branch, and uttering 

 a pretty sharp whistle. During the summer, squirrels are busy in 

 storing up food for the winter. The trunk of a hollow tree is their 

 usual store-house, to which they have recourse when fresh food grows 

 scarce. 



FlG. 446. NEST OF THE HARVEST-MOUSE. 



* apro9, arctos, a bear ; /j.vs, mus, a rat bear-rat. 

 t Sciurus, a squirrel. 



