THE SQUIRREL. 155 
the branches of some large tree, and, as soon as it feels alarmed, always 
makes the best of its way towards the nearest tree-trunk. Its gait is a kind 
of semi-gallop, and even when ascending a perpendicular tree-stem it main- 
tains the same galloping movements, and ascends to a considerable height 
in a very small space of time. 
During the hotter hours of the day the Squirrel is never seen, being quietly 
asleep in its lofty nest ; but in the early morning, or in the cooler hours of 
the afternoon, it comes from its retreat, and may be seen leaping about the 
branches in search of the various fruits on which it feeds. 
The nest of the squirrel is an admirable specimen of natural architecture 
and is almost invariably placed in the fork of some lofty branch, where it is 
concealed from the view of anyone passing under the tree, and is out of the’ 
reach of any ordinary foe, even if its situation were discovered. Sometimes 
it is built in the hollow of a decayed bough, but it is always admirably con- 
SQUIRREL.—(Scizt us Europius.) 
cealed from sight. In form it is neariy spherical, and is made of leaves, 
moss, grass, and other substances, woven together in so artistic a manner 
that it is impermeable to rain, and cannot be dislodged from its resting-place 
by the most violent wind. A single pair of Squirrels inhabit the same nest, 
and seem to consider some pu.rtucular tree as their home, remaining in it 
year after year, 
The female Squirrel produces about three or four young at a litter, the 
little ones being born in the middle of summer, and remaining under the 
care of their parents until the spring of the succeeding year, when they 
separate and shift for themselves. 
The food of the Squirrel is usually of a vegetable nature, and consists of 
nuts, acorns, wheat, and other fruits and seeds. Being a hibernating 
animal, the Squirrel is in the habit of laying up a winter store of provisions, 
and towards the end of autumn, while acorns and nuts are in their prime, 
becomes very busy in gathering certain little treasures, which it hides in all 
kinds of nooks, crevices, and holes, near the tree in which it lodges. The 
creature must be endowed with a very accurate memory, for it always 
