120 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
at the extremity of slender boughs, which bend with its weight, 
and cause the airy cradle to rock and dance with every gust 
of wind. 
As if conscious of the impregnable situation which it has 
chosen, the Squirrel takes no pains to conceal the summer cage, 
but builds it so openly, that it can be seen from a considerable , 
distance ; whereas the winter home requires a practised eye to 
detect it. So confident is the animal in the strength of its 
position, that it can scarcely be induced to leave the nest, and 
will sit there in spite of shouts and stones, provided that the 
missiles do not actually strike the nest A well-aimed stone will 
generally alarm the cunning little animal, and cause it to make 
one of its rapid rushes to the top of the tree. The materials of 
the Squirrel's cage are very similar to those of an ordinary bird’s 
nest, consisting of twigs, leaves, moss, and other vegetable sub- 
stances. Its structure is tolerably compact, though it will not 
endure rough handling without being injured. 
In this aerial nest the young Squirrels are born, making their 
appearance in the middle of summer, and remaining with their 
mother until the following spring. There are generally three or 
four young ; and though the nest appears to be so slight, it is 
capable of sustaining the united weight of young and parents. 
The Squirrel does not seem to make more nests than can be 
avoided, and, like many nest-builders, inhabits the same domi- 
cile year after year, until it is quite unfit for occupation. 
Should the nest be assailed while the young are still helpless, 
the mother takes them in her mouth one by one, leaps away 
widi them, and deposits them in some place of safety. The 
shape of the summer nest is nearly spherical. The winter cage, 
however, is most irregular in form, being accommodated to the 
space between the boughs in which it is built, and is very thick 
and warm. 
