118 BIRDS' NESTS. 



game ; but that is no reason why I should do 

 their work." 



"But don't you think a squirrel a very pretty 

 animal, in a cage ? I saw one once in a wire 

 whirl-a-gig, which he made spin round very fast; 

 and there was a little room with a door leading 

 into it, in which he slept ; he seemed very merry 

 and comfortable." 



cf I can't deny/' said Mr. Miller, " that a 

 squirrel is very pretty everywhere ; but I 

 cannot believe that there is much merriment 

 in spinning round a wire cage, or that he 

 finds any pleasure in his dark box, or ' room/ 

 as you call it, except the comfort of finding a 

 place where he can be still, if he likes. Did you 

 ever hear of a treadmill ? " 



" No, never," said Henry. 



" A treadmill is a very large wheel, in shape 

 something like a squirrel's cage, with the 

 exception, that where the wires are, there are 

 wooden steps. This wheel is connected with 

 a mill for grinding corn, and is turned by a 

 row of men, who hold fast by a wooden rail, 



