7o6 SCIURID^— SCIURUS 



or curiosity, it usually emerges into full view, often within easy 

 gunshot, and, neglecting to make good its escape, sits chattering, 

 swearing, and stamping its feet, a charming picture of fuss and 

 impudence. On such occasions, as Sir H. Johnston observes, 

 its voice is capable of considerable variation, ranging from a 

 series of metallic "clacks" to a rapid succession of spitting 

 squeaks. 



Much of the Squirrel's characteristic appearance is due to 

 its tail, an appendage with a great variety of uses and playing 

 the chief part in almost every incident in its owner's career. 

 In clirnbing, running, swimming, or leaping, the tail is directed 

 straight backwards, serving as a balancer, rudder, or combined 

 with the horizontally spread limbs and the distended loose 

 integument of the flanks as a parachute. In sleep it covers 

 and warms the whole lateral and dorsal portions of the body. 

 When the animal is more or less quiescent the tail is bent 

 abruptly forwards along the back towards the head, the tip 

 slightly recurved outwards. At such times the various 

 emotions are expressed apparently by a series of jerks of the 

 tail, which may perform the part of a banner of defiance, or a 

 lure to a genuine or sportive adversary. To enable it to play 

 its varied roles, the tail possesses extraordinary mobility, and 

 is provided with special muscles whereby the arrangement of 

 the hairs may be suited to fit each passing mood. The hairs 

 may at will be horizontally flattened for purposes of balance, or 

 each hair may stick out directly from the central support, so 

 that the outline of the tail is circular like the plume of a 

 hussar's busby. The latter shape is affected especially when 

 another Squirrel is the subject of sport or defiance ; the hairy 

 tail is literally thrust into the mouth of the adversary, and is 

 used as an invulnerable hairy vanguard to excite and confuse 

 the enemy. 



The Squirrel has little fear of the proximity of man ; it 

 often enters the pleasure-grounds of large towns, and indeed 

 frequently courts the vicinity of houses, being, doubtless, 

 attracted by the produce of their gardens ; of diurnal habits, it 

 is frequently visible, in such circumstances, from the windows 

 of houses surrounded by woods. If fed and encouraged — and 

 nothing, from bread to a chicken-bone, comes amiss to it — it 



