!20 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



at the extremity of slender boughs, which bend with its weight, 

 and cause the airy cradle to rock and dance with every gust 

 of wind. 



As if conscious* of the impregnable situation which it has 

 chosen, the Squirrel takes no pains to conceal the summer cage, 

 but builds it so openly, that it can be seen from a considerable 

 distance ; whereas the winter home requires a practised eye to 

 detect it. So confident is the animal in the strength of its 

 position, that it can scarcely be induced to leave the nest, and 

 will sit there in spite of shouts and stones, provided that the 

 missiles do not actually strike the nest. A well-aimed stone will 

 generally alarm the cunning little animal, and cause it to make 

 one of its rapid rushes to the top of the tree. The materials of 

 the Squirrel's cage are very similar to those of an ordinary bird's 

 nest, consisting of twigs, leaves, moss, and other vegetable sub- 

 stances. Its structure is tolerably compact, though it will not 

 endure rough handling without being injured. 



In this aerial nest the young Squirrels are born, making their 

 appearance in the middle of summer, and remaining with their 

 mother until the following spring. There are generally three or 

 four young ; and though the nest appears to be so slight, it is 

 capable of sustaining the united weight of young and parents. 

 The Squirrel does not seem to make more nests than can be 

 avoided, and, like many nest-builders, inhabits the same domi- 

 cile year after year, until it is quite unfit for occupation. 

 Should the nest be assailed while the young are still helpless, 

 the mother takes them in her mouth one by one, leaps away 

 with them, and deposits them in some place of safety. The 

 shape of the summer nest is nearly spherical. The winter cage, 

 however, is most irregular in form, being accommodated to the 

 space between the boughs in which it is built, and is very thick 

 and warm. 



