7418 Quadrupeds. 



ground, it is a very common occurrence to see three or four or more 

 squirrels running along the branches of the trees above, and often 

 descending to the ground to seek for the fallen masts ; and if they 

 chanced to see or suspected any one was concealed within the cabin, 

 they immediately decamped, running up the trunks of the trees, and 

 began chattering and stamping with their little feet in a most angry 

 manner at the audacity of any one daring to intrude on their domain. 

 In the shrubbery also, nearer to the house, every day during the 

 severest winter months, as well as at other times, numbers of squirrels 

 may be seen running about, unmindful of the frost and snow, active 

 and lively as ever, and they will often come close to the windows, on 

 the grass-plot beneath, and look up as if asking to be fed, and then 

 begin busily searching about in the snow ; nor do they hesitate to run 

 up to the window-sills and get into the trays placed there for the little 

 birds, and filled with bird-seed, pieces of bread, mashed potatoes, 

 Spanish chesnuts and other food, as well as a few nuts put for the 

 squirrels especially ; but when these latter are consumed they take to 

 the other sorts of food most freely, driving all the poor birds away 

 until they have finished their own individual repast; and most 

 amusing it is when two or more squirrels meet to dispute which shall 

 have the tray to itself. 



During the late inclement month of January numbers of these little 

 active animals might have been seen scratching vigorously amongst 

 the moss and grass for the beech-masts and other food blown there by 

 the high winds and concealed beneath; and I have never observed 

 that they resorted to any hoard or store of food which had been 

 previously laid up in any quantity for winter consumption, as some 

 suppose is the case, though no doubt they do conceal and deposit in 

 certain hiding-places a few nuts and other dainties, nor have I ever 

 noticed any of the winter nests or drays they are said to hybernate in, 

 though in the spring many of these drays may be seen, in which the 

 squirrels breed and have their young. 



There is a variety here, which I have never met with or heard of 

 elsewhere, having buff or straw-coloured tails, which give them 

 a curious appearance while whisking them about as they sit on the 

 ground or run round the trunks of the trees, peeping cautiously at the 

 persons watching their motions. There seems to be no difference in 

 their habits, and they mix together promiscuously. Mr. Jesse, it is 

 true, states that he has heard of squirrels with white or gray tails ; 

 but these are yellow or straw-coloured, without any mixture of white 

 or gray. 



