QUADRUPEDS. 



FIG. 445. DORMICE. 



FIG. 446. NEST OF THE HARVEST MOUSE. 



of birds. It is usually composed of blades 

 of grass, woven into a globular form about 

 as large as a cricket-ball, and so compact 

 that it may be rolled across a table without 

 injury. It is affixed to the stems of weeds, 

 or, as in the engraving, to the stalks of 

 growing corn. 



The Marmots (Aretomys)* have 

 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 recognized by their long bushy 

 tails: their head is large, their eyes 

 projecting and animated, and their 

 form light. They are all remarkable 

 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 



: &PKTOS, arctos, a bear; j*Cs, mus, a rat: bear-rat. f Sciurus, a squirrel. 



