SQUIRRELS. 
73 
habits of all the species appear to he very similar. Belonging to a group in which 
the first upper premolar is present, this little animal is so well known by appearance 
to all, that but few words need be devoted to its description. The general colour 
of the head and body is brownish red above, and white beneath; the whole tail 
being of the same hue as the back. In summer, the edges of the ears are smooth, 
but in winter they are tipped with a thick fringe of hair. In winter the squirrel in 
England is greyer than in summer; and in the more northern and eastern parts of 
its habitat, the grey tint, especially in winter, becomes much more marked, while 
in Japan the colour is nearly black. Drab-coloured squirrels occur in Siberia; and 
white or pied specimens are occasionally met with. In some parts of England the 
tail is not unfrequently cream-coloured in autumn. The total length of the animal, 
THE EUROPEAN SQUIRREL liat. Size). 
Distribution. 
exclusive of the hairs at the end of the tail, is about 15 A inches, of which 7 inches 
are taken up by the tail. 
The geographical range of the European squirrel is very exten¬ 
sive, comprising almost the whole of Europe, Northern Africa, Asia 
Minor, and Asia north of the Himalaya, as far eastward as Japan. Indeed, 
Ireland and Japan respectively mark the western and eastern boundaries of its 
raime: while its extreme northern and southern limits are indicated by Lapland 
and the north of Italy. In the south of the latter country, and likewise in the 
Caucasus and the Crimea, the squirrel is, however, quite unknown. 
Like other members of the genus, this species of squirrel is mainly 
diurnal and arboreal in its habits, but seldom descending to the 
ground, and when aloft leaping from bough to bough with surprising agility. The 
extent of these flying leaps shows that the “ flight ” of the flying squirrels is but 
an ultra development of this mode of progression. Its chief food consists of nuts, 
Habits. 
