DWELLINGS. 177 



material. It seemed as if they . were placed in 

 the nests as if to mark them. From its frequent 

 occurrence, at least, it seemed to me as if designedly 

 done." 1 



The abodes of Squirrels, though exhibiting more 

 art, are constructions of the same nature ; that is to 

 say, they are formed of interlaced sticks. This 

 animal builds its home to shelter itself there in the 

 bad season, to pass the night in it, and to rear its 

 young. Very agile, and not afraid of climbing, it 

 places its domicile near the tops of our highest forest 

 trees. Rather capricious also, and desiring change of 

 residence from time to time, it builds several of them ; 

 at least three or four, sometimes more. The materials 

 which it needs are collected on the earth among fallen 

 dead branches, or are torn away from the old 

 abandoned nest of a crow or some other bird. The 

 Squirrel firsts builds a rather hollow floor by inter- 

 mingling the fragments of wood which it has brought. 

 In this state its dwelling resembles a magpie's nest. 

 But the fastidious little animal wishes to be better 

 protected and not thus to sleep in the open air. Over 

 this foundation he raises a conical roof; the sticks 

 which form it are very skilfully disposed, and so well 

 interlaced that the whole is impenetrable to rain. 

 The house must still be furnished, and this is done 

 with oriental luxury; that is to say, the entire furni- 

 ture consists of a carpet, a carpet of very dry moss, 

 which the Squirrel tears from the trunks of trees, and 

 which it piles up so as to have a soft and warm 

 couch. An entrance situated at the lower part gives 

 access to the aeiial castle ; it is usually directed 

 towards the east. On the opposite side there is 



1 Life Histories of American Birds, p. 275. 



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