712 SCIURID^— SCIURUS 



may result in the death of the defaulter. In North America 

 Dr Merriam states that the Red Squirrel {S. hudsonicus) makes 

 larger stores and fares better in winter than the Grey Squirrel 

 {S. carolinensis). 



It seems more than probable that many of the older myths 

 which gathered around the Squirrel's " treasured hoards " owed 

 their prevalence to the still more erroneous belief that the 

 animal remains during the greater part of the winter in a state 

 of almost complete torpidity, from which it only relapses on fine 

 days for the purpose of feeding. As a matter of fact, the 

 Squirrel is quite active throughout the winter and in all degrees 

 of cold. This fact is none the less compatible with a strong 

 dislike of snow or rain, during the prevalence of either of which 

 it may remain in its nest for several days together. Notwith- 

 standing any such prejudices, however, it is often to be 

 observed abroad in all kinds of weather, and Mr Hewitson 

 remarks that its footsteps are the first to soil the unsullied 

 beauty of the snow. He records an extreme case in which 

 young Squirrels, little more than able to leave the nest, were 

 running about on snow in March. 



Some of the most interesting or striking myths deserve 

 mention. Pennant and Bingley relate of it that its gullet is 

 very narrow, " to prevent it from disgorging its food, in 

 descending of trees, or in down-leaps." Topsell, repeating an 

 ancient and widespread, legend, the details of which, according 

 to Mr Harvie-Brown, are still related as actual facts of natural 

 history in Scotland, says : — " If they (i.e. Squirrels) be driven 

 to the ground from the trees to creep into hedges, it is a token 

 of their weariness, for such is the stately mind of this little 

 beast, that while her limbs and strength lasteth, she tarryeth 

 and saveth herself in the tops of tall trees, then being descended, 

 she falleth into the mouth of every cur. The admirable wit of 

 this beast appeareth in her swimming or passing over the 

 waters, for when hunger or some convenient prey of meat 

 constraineth her to pass over a river, she seeketh out some 

 rinde or small bark of a tree, which she setteth upon the water, 

 and then goeth into it, and holding up her tail like a sail, 

 letteth the wind drive her to the other side ; and this is 

 witnessed by Olau Magnus in his description of Scandinavia, 



