86 COMMON SQUIRREL, 
the most familiar caresses from the hand that 
feeds it. 
In the spring these creatures seem peculiarly 
active ; pursuing each other among the trees, and 
exerting various efforts of agility. During the 
warm summer nights, they may also be observed in 
a similar exercise. They seem to dread the heat of 
the sun ; for during the day, they commonly re- 
main in their nests, and make their principal excuf- 
sions by night. 
It seldom makes any noise, except when it expe- 
riences either pain or pleasure ; in the former case 
it makes a sharp piercing note ; and in the latter, 
it makes a noise not unlike the purring of a cat. 
The tail of the squirrel is its greatest ornament ; 
and serves as a defence against the cold, being large 
enough to cover the whole body ; it is likewise of 
use to the animal in taking its leaps from one tree 
to another. 
In northern climates the squirrels change their 
red summer coat, on the approach of winter, to 
grey ; and it is singular that this alteration will 
take place in those climates, even within the warmth 
of a stove. Dr. Pallas had one, entirely red, 
brought to him on the 12th of September. It 
was placed in a stove. About the 4th of October 
many parts of its body began to grow hoary ; and 
when it died, which was just, a month afterwards, 
the whole body had attained a grey colour ; the 
legs, and a small part of the face, alone retaining a 
reddish tinge. 
The squirrel/' says Buffon, tf is neither carni- 
vorous nor hurtful ; its usual food isfruits, nuts, and 
acGrns * it is cleanly, nimble, active, and industrious ; 
its eyes are sparkling, and its physiognomy marked 
with meaning. It generally, like the hare and rab- 
bit, sits up on its hinder legs ; and uses the fore pawg 
