188 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
with a tinge of fawn, which is entirely wanting in the 
other species ; the under surface is nearly pure white. 
The lateral expansions have fawn-coloured margins, 
bordering a black band ; and with only a slight rounded 
lobe at their anterior extremity on either side. The 
tail is of the same colour as the body, but more dusky 
beneath ; the eyes are surrounded by broad black cir- 
cles ; the whiskers are long and black ; and the ears 
rather large, somewhat pointed at the tips, and nearly 
naked on the surface. The length of the head and 
body never exceeds five inches. 
Like the other Squirrels these animals feed on nuts, 
acorns, and young shoots. Of the former they store up 
a sufficient quantity for their winter subsistence in their 
nests, which are built on the trees in a very artificial 
manner, and are each capable of containing several 
individuals. They seldom stir out during the day, but 
become lively and active during the night, foraging in 
parties of ten or twelve, and bounding from tree to tree 
with astonishing agility. " They will fly," says Catesby, 
^' four score yards from one tree to another. They can- 
not rise in their flight, nor keep in a horizontal line, 
but descend gradually, so that in proportion to the 
distance the tree they design to fly to is from them, so 
much the higher they mount on the tree they fly from^ 
that they may reach some part of the tree, even the 
lowest, rather than fall to the ground, which exposes 
them to peril. But having once recovered the trunk of 
a tree, no animal seems nimble enough to take them." 
In captivity they seem to be perfectly happy and con- 
tented, and though shy at first soon become familiar 
with those who treat them with kindness. 
