456 THE COMMON SQUIRREL. 



of the species form their nests, and live almost en- 

 tire!)'', in the trees ; and others burrow under the 

 ground. None of them are carnivorous. Many 

 of the Squirrels may^ with care, be rendered do- 

 cile ; but when they are in the least irritated, they 

 attempt to bite. In confinement they are generally 

 very frolicsome. When they are on the ground, 

 they advance by leaps ; and in eating they sit erect, 

 and hold the food in their fore-paws. 



They have tv/o front-teeth in each jaw ; the up- 

 per ones wedge-shaped, and the lower sharp : five 

 grinders on each side of the upper-jaw, and four on 

 each side of the under one. They have also col- 

 lar-bones in the skeleton; and in most of the species, 

 the tail spreads towards each side *, 



THE COMMON SQUIRREL -f". 



This elegant little animal is equally admired for 

 the neatness of its figure, and the activity and live- 

 liness of its disposition. Though naturally wild and 

 timid, it is soon reconciled to confinement, and 

 easily taught to receive with freedom the most fa- 

 pnihar caresses from the hand that feeds it. 



In the spring these creatures seem peculiarly ac- 

 tive ; pursuing each other among the trees, and ex- 

 erting various efforts of agility. During the warm 

 summer nights they may also be observed in a si- 



* Lini^. Gmel. i. 146. 



t Synonyms — Sciurus vulgaris. Linn. — Ecureil — Bmfoi:,—- 



