ORDER RODENTIA. 173 



habitually, if at ease, with the tail gracefully erect up the 

 back, and curved toward the extremity; but when listening, 

 the body is straightened, and the tail lowered to an hori- 

 zontal position, in which it may, like that of the Jerboa 

 and Kanguroo, support the body, and prepare it for sudden 

 action. The Squirrel is as aptly fitted for residence in the 

 trees as the quadrumanous animals ; though, on a different 

 principle ; its long, slender deep, cleft fingers, and sharp 

 nails, enable it to mount a perpendicular with more facility 

 than the Monkey, and to seize and hold by the small 

 branches with equal ease. It takes its food to the mouth 

 with the fore-paws while sitting, and drinks in rather a 

 singular manner, by a sort of sipping, though rather by 

 means of the tongue than the lips. 



The activity and agility of the Squirrel, when favourably 

 situated, are truly surprising, and its sudden turns, when 

 moving with the greatest rapidity, are almost too quick for 

 the sight to follow. On the ground, however, it has less 

 opportunity of displaying these powers, and though it ad- 

 vances rapidly, it is by means of leaps or gallops ; this 

 arises from the length of the hinder extremities compared 

 with those before. 



Squirrels appear to live in pairs, and to confine them- 

 selves to a very small range of action, seldom moving by 

 choice from the tree or the immediate vicinity of the spot 

 where they first settle. They build their nest in the fork of 

 the branches ; it is spherical in shape, and so compacted 

 with moss, bits of wood, 8fc. as to offer an effectual resist- 

 ance to the rain. Here they sleep during the heat or middle 

 of the day, but toward the afternoon proceed in search of 

 food, gliding along the branches, and leaping to those of 

 another tree with surprising swiftness. 



The period of their gestation seems not very precisely 

 known, but the young are born about the month of June. 

 Their affection for, and care of the young is remarkable, 

 Vol. III. O 



