XVII 

 INTELLIGENCE OF SQUIRRELS 



TO our common squirrel belongs the distinc- 

 tion of being almost the only native creature 

 we possess which furnishes an example of a 

 curious fact remarked upon by Herbert Spencer. 

 Throughout nature, he pointed out, there exists 

 among all classes of animals a marked relationship 

 between the power of grasping or handling and a 

 high level of intelligence. It is this power of 

 grasping — for it holds its food and all objects which 

 attract its interest in almost human fashion — com- 

 bined with the high intelligence it displays on almost 

 all occasions, which renders the squirrel such a 

 fascinating object of study. In March, when occa- 

 sional sunny days begin to divide the cold spells of 

 weather, the squirrel may often be seen to advantage 

 on the bare boughs in the more secluded woods 

 and copses. The little creatures still wear their 

 winter outfit, the dark grey tints of the fur, so 

 different from the rich, ruddy brown of the summer, 

 harmonizing well with the naked trees and no doubt 

 tending to make the owners less conspicuous in 

 the absence of all cover. Squirrels, although they 

 pass the greater part of the winter asleep, snugly 



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