T^E EUROPEAl^ B'LYtNG SQUIRREL. 467 



These animals are generally seen in flocks of ten 

 or twelve ; and to persons unaccustomed to thema 

 they appear at a distance, in their leaps, like leaves 

 blown from the trees by the wind. *' When I first 

 saw them (says Catesby), I took them for dead leaves 

 blown one way by the wind ; but was not long so 

 deceived, when I perceived many of them follow 

 one another in the same direction. They will fly 

 fourscore yards from one tree to another *." 



The females produce three or four young at a 

 time. This species use the same food, and form their 

 iioards in the same manner, as others of the Squir- 

 rel tribe. They are easily tamed, and soon become 

 familiar : they love warmth, and are very fond of 

 creeping into the sleeve or pocket of their owner ; 

 and if tlirown upon the ground, they instantly shew 

 their dislike to it by running up and sheltering them* 

 selves -'n his clothes ■j-. 



THE EUROPEAN FLYING SQUIRREL ^. 



The European Flying Squirrel differs from the 

 last species principally in having its tail full of hair, 

 and rounded at the end: and in the colour of its 

 body ; the upper part of which is a fine grey, and 

 the lower w'hit^. Its whole length Is about nine 

 inches, of which the tail occupies five. — It is found 

 in the woods of Siberia, Lapland, and other north- 



* Catesby, ii. 77. t Penn. Arct. Zocl. ii. IW. 



X Synonyms. — 'Sciurus Volans. Li/m. — Flyini;; Squirrel. Pen)i.-^ 

 Pohtouclie. Bujj'on. — — ,SVk'.':;'V Gen. Zool. pL \AO,—Biv. 2uad. ^Q,\, 



Hh 2 



