354 
VEETEBRATA. 
FLTING-SQUIEHEL. 
not affect the company of others of its own kind, nor docs it retire in the winter, at which season 
it wanders about. Its dwelling is in the hollows of trees, and its nest is generally made of moss 
■from the birch. It raises the tail when at rest, but Avhen it takes its flying leaps, extends that 
member. 
This is the only flying-squirrel known in Europe, but in jSTorthern Asia, and also as far south 
as Northern India and Nepaul, there are other species, among which are mentioned the ^S*. noble, 
the S.f range, he. 
In America there are several species, among which is the S. volucella, or Common Flying- 
Squirrel, familiar to the inhabitants of the United States, and certainly one of the most curious, 
soft, gentle, and beautiful of living things. The head is short and rounded, nose blunt, eyes prom- 
inent, ears nearly naked; body and head four and a half inches long; tail, with the fur, four and 
three-quarters inches; spread of the fore-legs, six inches, and the hind-legs, seven. The fur is 
soft and silky, the tail flat and distichous, the color brownish-ash, touched with cream-color above, 
and white beneath. 
These squirrels are very numerous, but being chiefly nocturnal in their habits, they are not so 
frequently seen as some others. They are found in all the Atlantic States, in Canada, Texas, and 
Mexico. They inhabit the Avoods, making their nests in the vacant hollows of trees, and some- 
times in crevices in the eaves and roofs of houses; they feed on nuts and seeds, and occasionally, 
it is said, on flesh, if it falls in their way. In the north they produce young once a year, at the 
south twice, three to six at a time. The period of gestation is about a month. If one of the 
young is taken from the nest, the mother on finding it lays it on its back, when it takes her round 
the neck with its fore-legs, while she grasps its thigh in her mouth, and thus she proceeds rapidly 
to deposit it again in its nest. These animals, though shy and solitary, readily become tamed, 
and are exceedingly pleasant httle pets. 
During the day, these squirrels remain in their nests in repose, the glare of the sun being pain- 
ful to their eyes, which stand out like those of the owl. But at evening they issue from their 
hiding-places, and display the most wonderful activity. They are social creatures, and large num- 
bers usually congregate in the same locality. An unobservant person might pass through their 
haunts for years, in the daytime, and not dream of their existence; but if he will pause here at 
nightfall, he will be struck with wonder and admiration at the scene they present. They come out, 
.sometimes by dozens, from the tall trees, and commence flying in all directions. They start from 
