THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 133 
During this season they usually lie hidden in the nest all day, 
rarely making their appearance before dusk, and staying out but a 
few minutes at a time when they do appear during the day; and 
what is said hereafter in regard to their activity refers especially 
to their habits in warm weather, though not untrue for the rest of 
the year. In the fall and winter months they are less strictly 
nocturnal, coming from the nest several times each day and taking 
food and exercise, after which they resume their nap, and at night 
they alternate sleep and activity in the same manner. 
When the sleeping and waking are thus interchanged through- 
out the day, the squirrels are not as active in their exercise nor 
does the slumber seem so deep as when they sleep all day and are 
awake all night. The nest is a hemisphere of wire netting with 
an opening at the top, filled with tow and cotton. When ready 
to retire they plunge head foremost into this filling and, by moving 
from side to side, quickly bury themselves so completely that the 
top of the nest is left sniooth and even, and gives no sign of life 
beneath so long as the inmates are asleep. If some inquisitive 
hand pulls off the material covering the squirrels, they are found 
at the very bottom of the nest, each rolled into as complete a ball 
as possible, with the broad, feather-like tail curled around one side 
or thrown over the face. When fairly settled for a nap they are 
not easily aroused, and all the return they give one for gentle pokes, 
pushes and strokings is a brisk, querulous scolding in sharp, squeal- 
ing’ tones, or a blow or two from a fore paw, and then if they are 
still further disturbed, one or two quick bites from the sharp nee- 
dle-like teeth, which, however, are so short and slender that they 
do not inflict very serious wounds. As has already been stated, 
they do sometimes come from the nest during the day, when most 
nocturnal in their habits, especially if thirsty ; for, if hungry, they 
eat some of the many nuts which they have hidden in the nest. 
In quite marked contrast with their sprightliness of action at night 
are their sleepy half dazed movements at such times. Often after oo 
drinking and hopping about the cage a little, they sit motionless; __ 
for perhaps half an hour their eyes staring as if wonderstruck and 
thus they remain till, with a sudden leap, they bury themselves in 
nest. oe 
At dusk they begin to stir. Not all at once it would seem do 
they awake, for the material of the nest quivers and shakes for _ 
Sometime before the squirrel appears. , When, however, they con- 
