88 
COMMON SQtJIftKEl. 
storms and inclemency of winter, which it is still 
less capable of supporting. Its provision of nuts 
and acorns is seldom in its nest, but in the hollows 
of the tree, laid up carefully together, and never 
touched but in cases of necessity. Thus one single 
tree, serves for a retreat and a store-house ; and 
without leaving it during the winter, the squirrel 
possesses all those enjoyments that its nature is 
capable of receiving. But it sometimes happens 
that its little mansion is attacked by a deadly and 
powerful foe. The marten goes often in quest 
of a retreat for its young, which it is incapable 
of making for itself ; for this reason it fixes upon 
the nest of a squirrel, and, with double injustice, 
destroys the tenant, and then takes possession of the 
mansion. 
However, this is a calamity that but seldom 
happens ; and, of all other animals, the squirrel 
leads the most frolicksome playful life, being 
surrounded with abundance, and having few r ene- 
mies to fear. They seldom bring forth above 
four or five young at a time; and that but once 
a year. The time of their gestation seems to be 
about six weeks ; they are pregnant in the be- 
ginning of April, and bring* forth about the middle 
of May. 
The squirrel is never found in the open fields, 
nor yet in copses, or underwoods ; it always keeps 
in the midst of the tallest trees, and, as much as 
possible, shuns the habitations of men. It is 
extremely watchful ; if the tree in which it re- 
sides be but touched at the bottom, the squirrel 
instantly takes the alarm, quits its nest, at once 
flies off to another tree, and thus travels, with 
great ease, along the tops of the forest, until it finds 
itself perfectly out of danger. In this manner it 
continues for some hours at a distance from home, 
until the alarm be passed away ; and then it returns 
