MAMMALIA 77 



to the Borders, or existed there in ancient times, is doubtful ; 

 the climate is evidently not unsuited to them; and it is possible 

 that the extensive destruction of forests and woods, from the 

 period of the Norman Conquest till the accession of James I. to 

 the English throne, may have caused the extirpation of the 

 original breed ; but of this there is not evidence. The skins of 

 Squirrels, as well as of cats, foxes, hares, rabbits, kids, and 

 lamb, were articles of commerce in the district [Berwick] in 

 1377, when, according to a charter for pontage, one hundred of 

 them was charged a toll of one halfpenny on passing over 

 Alnwick Bridge ; but such skins may not have been grown (sic) 

 in the district.' x 



A little more than a hundred years ago the Squirrel was 

 certainly well established in our midst. Clarke volunteers the 

 suggestion that Swirls-gate l signifies, I believe, Squirrels-gate, as 

 the word Swirl is in this country used for a Squirrel. The 

 situation of this hill (near Thirlmere) indeed argues as much, 

 as it was within these last few years covered with wood of 

 various kinds, and was the resort of those nimble animals.' 2 



Dickinson ignores this suggestion in his Glossary, and supplies 

 ' Con ' as a synonym for the Squirrel commonly employed in 

 Cumberland. This name is also recognised by Mr. W. Hodgson, 

 A.L.S., who has enjoyed exceptionally favourable opportunities 

 for studying the habits of Squirrels. Among other points 

 arrived at by my old friend is his conviction ' that the Squirrel 

 does not hibernate, as I have been taught almost from infancy 

 to suppose; for even during the terrific snowstorm of March 

 1881, and others scarcely less severe in the seasons immediately 

 preceding it, their visits to my back door were never intermitted. 

 Only when the hazel-nuts were ripe and fairly abundant would 

 they disappear for a few weeks at a time.' 3 



Mr. F. P. Johnson, one of the most observant and experienced 

 field-naturalists in Cumberland, writes to the same effect: 'With 

 regard to the hibernation of Squirrels, which is just now receiv- 

 ing attention in the Zoologist, I would mention that here, — in 



1 B. N. G. 1863-8, p. 441. 



2 Survey of the Lakes, p. 117. 



3 Trans. Cumberland and Westmorland Assoc, No. xi. p. 27. 



