A DIGRESSION ON SQUIRRELS 



denly as he dropped into the contemplative 

 mood, just so suddenly will he emerge from 

 it. You see a red streak among the trees, 

 and a wake of waving branches, and Ru- 

 fus is gone! 



I don't know what kinds of husbands and 

 fathers squirrels make, but I fancy that 

 there are among them as many varieties 

 as among humans. Sometimes a little lady 

 squirrel accompanies Rufus, and on these 

 occasions, I regret to say, he conducts him- 

 self in a most unchivalrous manner. There 

 are such vigorous sparring matches that the 

 atmosphere surrounding the combatants is 

 almost tan color; tails whisk and claws 

 scratch, while a vigorous spitting and hiss- 

 ing accompany the fight for food. Rufus, 

 brave fellow, generally wins the day, and 

 the lady retreats with very little or nothing 

 gained. Perhaps the Restaurant of the 

 Window-sill represents the sprightly gen- 



