458 THE COMMON SQUIRREL. 



cd at the bottom, it takes the alarm, quits its nest, 

 at once flies off to another tree, and thus travels with 

 great ease along the whole forest, until it finds itself 

 perfectly out of danger. In this manner it continues 

 for some hours at a distance from home, until 

 the alarm is past ; and then it returns by paths 

 that, to nearly all quadrupeds but itself, are utierly 

 impassable. Its usual way of moving is by bounds; 

 these it takes from one tree to anoiher at a very 

 great distance ; and if it is at any time obliged to 

 descend, runs up the side of the next tree with 

 astonishing facility. 



It seldom makes any noise, except when it expe- 

 riences either pain or pleasure : in the former case 

 it makes a sliarp piercing note ; and in the latter, 

 it makes a noise not unlike the purring of a Cat. 

 —The tail of the Squirrel is its greatest ornament ; 

 and serves as a defence against the cold, being large 

 enough to cover the whole body : it is likewise of 

 use to the animal in taking its leaps from one tree 

 to another. 



In northern climates the Squirrels change their 

 red summer coat, on the approach of winter, to 

 grey ; and it is singular that this alteration will take 

 place in those climates, even within the warmth of a 

 stove. Dr. Pallas had one, entirely red, brought to 

 him on the 12th of September. It was placed in a 

 stove. About the 4th of October many parts of its 

 body began to grow hoary : and when it died? 

 which was just a m.onth afterwards, the whole body 

 had attained a grey colour ; the legs, and a small 

 part of tlie face, alone retaining a reddish tinge *. 



* Piilias, Nov. Sp. Quad. 573. 



