233 



MAMMALIA. EODENTIA. 



COMMON SQUIEKEL. 



Sciurus vulgaris. 



French : Ecureuil ; Commercial, Petit gris. German : 

 Eichhornchen ; Commercial, Feb. 



This lively and graceful animal, so agile in its move- 

 ments, and amusing in its antics, is found in a great 

 part of the British Isles, wherever woods and forests 

 exist, but few are met with in Scotland. It is found in 

 Ireland, and is abundant in the counties of Kent, 

 Sussex, and Surrey, and is met with as near London 

 as Shooter's Hill. Squirrels formerly abounded in 

 Eichmond Park and the New Forest ; in the former 

 place they had to be killed off, on account of persons 

 shooting them on Sundays. In some parts, where it is 

 very abundant, and is left undisturbed, it becomes 

 almost tame, and will approach the dwellings of man, 

 and even enter by the windows, more especially in the 

 winter- time. Cats have been known to bring up young 

 Squirrels, and it is said to be sometimes found in Rabbit- 

 warrens. 



The Squirrel is arboreal in its habits, making its nest, 

 a large collection of twigs, resembling a Magpie's nest, 

 and sometimes called a " drey," at the top of a tree, 

 and sometimes in a hole in the trunk. It sometimes 

 leaves the shelter of the trees, and feeds at several yards' 

 distance from them, but at the first sound of alarm it 

 bounds by small springs, rather than runs, to the 

 nearest tree, placing itself behind it, in the same way 

 that creepers and some other birds do. When in the 



