352 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



The S QJJ IRREL 



THIS beautiful little animal is equally admirable 

 for the neatnefs and elegance of its formation, as 



for its livelinefs and activity. Its difpolition is gentle 



and harmiefs. — Though naturally wild, it is foon famili- 

 arifed to confinement and reftraint and though excef- 

 fively timid, it is eafily taught to receive with freedom 

 the moft familiar carefles from the hand that feeds it. 



It ufually lives in woods, and makes its nefl of mofs 

 or dry leaves in the hollows of trees. — It feldom defcends 

 upon the ground, but leaps from tree to tree with great 

 agility. 



Its food confifts of fruits, almonds, nuts, acorns, &c ; 

 of which it accumulates great {tores for winter provi- 

 fion, and fecures them carefully near its neft. In the 

 fummer, it feecte on buds and young moots, and is par- 

 ticularly fond of the cones of the fir and pine trees. 



The fpring is the feafon of love with Squirrels. At 

 that time the males purfue the females, and exhibit won- 

 derful proofs of agility ; whilft the latter, as if to make 



