7i8 SCIURID^-SCIURUS 



from Ireland (see p. 693). That of its continental relative is 

 in request all over the world ; formerly large numbers of the 

 grey winter skins — called "Calabar" commercially — were 

 imported into England for treatment by our furriers, but this 

 trade is said to be now almost extinct. It is perhaps 

 fortunate for our species that the excellence of its rabbit-like 

 flesh seems to be unknown to the inhabitants of these islands ; 

 the attraction provided by a destructive animal with a saleable 

 pelt and a palatable carcase might well have proved fatal to it. 



The Squirrel is well known as a pet, and its appearance 

 and general liveliness must always make it attractive. But, 

 unless taken young, it rarely loses its natural wildness, and it 

 is usually quite sterile. Lataste remarks that it has a good 

 memory for places, but it is full of irritability ; he describes the 

 wrath of one which, returning to its cage, found the door 

 closed against it. It is, perhaps, not well to allow such a pet 

 too much liberty, as it is mischievous and always ready to try 

 its teeth on any objects which may come within its reach. 

 However, if it be allowed liberty it forms, in one way, a very 

 good pet for children, as Millais points out ; for if at times 

 they are apt to forget to provide their pets with meals, a 

 Squirrel at large will usually contrive to forage for itself. 



With regard to the longevity of the Squirrel, captives are 

 said to have lived for nearly eight years ; on the other hand 

 Chalmers Mitchell {P.Z.S., 191 1, 446) found that of seventy- 

 seven examples of S. vulgaris (probably including specimens 

 of the present species) kept at the Zoological Gardens, the 

 average and maximum longevities were only six and twenty 

 months respectively. Many other Sciuridce, however, did better 

 in captivity ; twenty-four American Grey Squirrels thus had 

 average and maximum longevities of four and fifteen years 

 respectively. 



The Squirrel is used as a part of the arms of a number of 

 English families, and has appeared at least occasionally on 

 sign-boards. 



The American Grey Squirrel {Neosdurus carolinensis, Gmelin), 

 differing from 5. leucourus by its much larger size and distinctive grey 

 colour has been frequently introduced and liberated in this country 

 during recent years ; should it gain a good footing here, as seems not 



