Quadrupeds. 7419 



I once detected a squirrel in the act of carrying off a mushroom as 

 a dainty morsel, and was told afterwards by a keeper that he had often 

 seen them do so at a wood some distance from this place. In addition 

 to the dainty mushroom 1 have known my little favourites frequently, 

 and when other food was plentiful, to scale the garden-walls and steal 

 the youug apricots, which they carried off as choice morsels to their 

 haunts amidst the beech and other trees. 



I have heard it stated that squirrels will destroy birds' eggs, and 

 even kill and eat the youug ones, and it is mentioned as a well-known 

 fact by Mr. Jesse ; but as to their habitually devouring young birds or 

 the eggs of birds I have the greatest doubt. Perhaps in the ex- 

 uberance of its spirits in the spring time the little squirrel may 

 indulge itself in taking a peep into some poor bird's nest it may 

 chance to meet with, and by accident, possibly, or from curiosity, it 

 might break an egg, just to ascertain what it is like; but, except in 

 particular situations, or where there are young fir and larch planta- 

 tions coming up, or in the immediate vicinity of orchards, or where 

 the poor squirrel has not room and verge enough to live in, 1 believe 

 a more harmless, active and amusing little animal does not exist, when 

 living amidst its natural wild and woodland scenery. In consequence 

 of being protected here, and having an ample supply of food all the 

 year through, with range enough amongst almost every variety of tree, 

 I am happy in being able to state that no day passes, winter or 

 summer, but numbers of these amusing, merry and happy little fellows 

 may be seen chasing one another about, and taking astonishing leaps 

 from tree to tree, hardly ever missing their footing while doing so, or 

 may be met with beneath the trees and in the walks, either running 

 along in pursuit of each other, or busily engaged iu searching amongst 

 the moss for masts and nuts, looking up from time to time to see if any 

 one is likely to disturb them, and ever and anon flourishing their 

 upcurled tails over their heads, like banners of defiance to all 

 inti-uders. 



In conclusion, I may reiterate that I cannot credit the statement, so 

 implicitly believed by many, as to the dormant nature of squirrels 

 during the winter months; for, as before stated, at every period of the 

 year, let the weather be what it may, however severe, — while snow 

 still lies on the ground and the frost is intense, and other animals ap- 

 pear starved and miserable, — I have never missed seeing the little 

 squirrels as actively and busily running about as at other more 

 favourable times, though evidently often pressed for food by their 

 coming so fearlessly to the window-sills and taking possession of the 



