THE SQiriKKEL; 



and tamed them themselves. As to who caught them is, of 

 course, no business of yours ; your object is to purchase a tam,e 

 squirrel, and, goodness knows, those that the countryman is 

 desirous of selling are tame enough. They aJlow their limbs 

 to be pulled about, their tails to be stroked and twisted all 

 sorts of ways, and will lie extended, as though dead, along the 

 countryman's arm at word of command. Still, it is just about five 

 chances to one that the squirrel is really as savage as ever it 

 was in its life, but rendered intoxicated and incapable by the 

 use of siryohmne. One of two things will certainly be the 

 result, — either the squirrel wiH within a few hours of its recep- 

 tion into the bosom of your family recover from the pernicious 

 dose, and, assuming its proper character, scamper off through 

 a door or window, or else it wUl die. Whether, as in the 

 hedgehog's case, as tested by Dr. Ball, the squirrel would yield 

 its wild nature to a single attack of whisky or any other 

 spirituous thief that, put into the mouth, " steals away the 

 brains," has not, to my knowledge, ever been tested. 



The time to buy a squirrel is about the end of September, 

 for then the animal, if newly caught, will be fat, healthy, and 

 vigorous, and its flir in its prime. Never mind about the 

 creature's tameness ; if you wish to cultivate its friendship it 

 win be better to tame it yourself. The key to the squirrel's 

 heart is of the same old pattern, and is called by the same old 

 name as the key to every difficulty, httle or big, that the world 

 may present — patient kindness. House biTn in a cage in which 

 is comprised a great revolving cylinder of zinc wire, and to 

 which is attached a snug little ante-room, to which he may 

 retire when he feels so disposed. Squirrel-cages being pretty 

 much of one pattern, and that -pattern being seemingly well 

 adapted to their habits, nothing further need be said on that 

 head, except it be — ^have your cage la/rge enough. 



As to the squirrel's food, you must be guided by his habits 

 while in a state of freedom. He will enjoy any sort of small 

 nuts (it will be as well to avoid those of a very oily nature) or 

 some grains of wheat, or an acorn ; a stale crust of bread will 

 be taken between his little hands with a deal of pleasure, and 

 as a treat a bit of boiled potato, and even a bit — a little bit, of 

 Bourse — of fresh meat will do him no harm. This wiU not be 

 outraging the squirrel's nature, as in a wild state he frequently 

 asserts his claim to be classed with the camivora by robbing 

 "lirds' nests, and carrying off members of the young brood. 



In selecting a sqxiirrel, see that his fur is sleek and glossy, his 



