56 The Flying Squirrel 



they are rare; in reality they are quite plentiful, but 

 being thoroughly nocturnal they are seldom seen. 

 Now if you really wish to know the flying squirrel at 

 home, go into a grove of large maples, beeches, or 

 chestnuts on a still moonlight evening in September, 

 find a comfortable seat and remain quiet for a little 

 while. Should it so happen that you do not see a flying 

 squirrel you will be amply repaid, for other night- 

 loving animals are abroad and they are as interesting 

 as those which work and play by day. If you have 

 not been accustomed to this rare treat, your eyes will 

 be busy with shadowy glimpses and your ears with 

 strange new sounds. There will be the patter of 

 light footsteps on the ground, the squeaking of un- 

 seen creatures, the frantic hurry of some being pur- 

 sued, the lonesome note of a distant bird, or the 

 monotonous call of the whip-poor-will; these and a 

 myriad of other sounds will fill the air, giving abun- 

 dant evidence of the animal life that is astir. You 

 listen! There is a sound like that of a nut dropping 

 from a tree. Again you listen, and a slight rustle of 

 leaves is heard overhead as a shadowy form glides 

 through the air and, alighting upon the bole of a 

 tree not ten feet away scampers up the tree very squir- 

 rel-like. The sprite has scarcely started before an- 

 other alights at nearly the same place, and hastens 



