THE COMMON SQUIRREL. 45/ 



milar exercise. They seem to dread the heat of the 

 sun ; for during the day, they commonly remain 

 in their nests, and make their principal excursions 

 by night. 



The nest of the Squirrel is, in its construction, ex- 

 ceedingly curious. It is generally formed among the 

 large branches of a great tree, where they begin to 

 fork off into small ones. After choosing the place 

 where the timber begins to decay^ and where a hoU 

 low may the more easily be formed, the Squirrel be- 

 gins by making a kind of level between these forks ; 

 and then bringing moss, twigs, and dry leaves, it 

 binds them together with such art as to resist the 

 most violent storm. This is covered up on all sides; 

 and has but a single opening at the top, just large 

 enough to admit the little animal ; and this opening 

 is itself defended from the weather by a kind of ca- 

 nopy, formed like a cone, so as to liirovv oiF the 

 rain, however heavy it may fall. The nest thus 

 formed, is very commodious and roomy below ; soft, 

 well knit together, and every way convenient and 

 warm. The provision of nuts and acorns is seldom 

 found in its nest ; but in the hollows of the tree, 

 carefully laid up together, and where it is never 

 touched by the animals but in cases of necessity 

 when no food is to be had abroad. Thus a tree 

 serves both for a retreat and a scorchouse ; and 

 without leaving it during the winter, the Squirrel 

 possesses all those enjoyments that iiis nature is ca- 

 pable of receiving. 



This little animal is extremely watchful : and it is 

 fiaid, tl)at if the tree in which it resides is but touch- 



