82 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
never touching them while it can find food else- 
where. In the summer it feeds on buds and young 
shoots, and is particularly fond of the cones of the 
pine-trees. 
217. It is said that, in their migrations, in some 
countries, these little animals, when they come to a 
stream which they wish to pass, provide themselves 
with a piece of bark, and embark upon it as in a 
boat. The Squirrel then raises his tail for a sail, 
and, paddling with one foot, directs his bark to the 
opposite shore. Sometimes, however, a gust of wind 
causes his shipwreck. 
THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 
218. This species is a native of North America. 
What distinguishes it from the other kinds of squir- 
rels is, the formation of the skin, which extends from 
the fore to the hinder feet ; so that, when its legs 
are stretched out, the skin is extended between 
them, enabling the animal to remain buoyant in the 
air, so as to make a leap of a hundred yards or more. 
It can only leap from a higher to a lower situation. 
What is said of their method of crossing streams ? 
Where is the Flying Squirrel found 1 What distinguishes it 
from other Squirrels ? 
