80 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



out of brushwood. As a rule, this is placed on the main trunk in the 

 fork of a large branch, since from such a situation it can easily effect its 

 escape. The nest is covered with a thick roof against rain and storm, 

 enemies almost as much dreaded as its living persecutors. The main 

 entrance is invariably directed downwards. There is a smaller hole 

 close to the stem, through which it escapes when surprised. In this 

 nest, on a warm and cosy bed of moss, it passes the night. It also 

 serves as a nursery. Occasionally, too, but then only temporarily, it 

 will take up its quarters in the hollow trunk of a tree, or in the abandoned ' 

 nests of crows and birds of prey. 



6. Its worst enemy, however, far severer than even man or marten, is 

 the winter. /When the snow has thickly covered the fallen acorns, beech- 

 nuts, hazel-nuts and fir-cones, and the boughs of the trees bend under 

 its load, the squirrel reposes, snugly rolled up (preservation of heat) in 

 its warm nest, the outlets of which have been tightly closed, and bids 

 defiance to the raging storms. Its long hairy fur forms an excellent winter 

 coat. Like a wise housekeeper, it has made good provision against 

 hunger during the period of superabundance ; for in hollow trees, under 

 tree-roots or stones, or in an unused nest, it has established store-rooms 

 richly supplied with food. 



7. Nevertheless, during long and severe winters many squirrels 

 perish from cold and want of food, while many others succumb to their 

 animal foes. One would almost suppose that this animal, so ornamental 

 to our woods, would have been long since exterminated. And this would 

 indeed be the case but for its extraordinary fecundity. The female has 

 from three to seven young twice in the year, so that by the autumn the 

 family comes to number from eight to sixteen heads. 



The Alpine Marmot (Aretomys marmota). 



(Length of body about 20 inches ; length of tail about 4 inches.) 



This peculiar animal is found on the highest mountains in the Alps, 

 the Pyrenees and Carpathians, close below the line of eternal snow. 

 The only way in which it defies the long icy winter, lasting from eight to 

 ten months at these altitudes, is by digging with the powerful claws on 

 its fore-paws deep holes beyond the reach of the frost, and by falling into 

 a death-like hibernating sleep. With the end of June, when spring 

 has at last effected entrance into its inhospitable home, and the first 

 juicy Alpine flowers blossom forth, it leaves its hole. By the pro- 

 tection of its brownish-black colour it is not easily recognised even by 

 eagles and vultures. As soon as one of a troop of marmots observes an 



