Of this lively, pleasing genus, there is a considerable variety,
especially in the temperate zone. They are very agile, and use their
paws with much grace and dexterity, in handling their food.
_Miscellaneous Anecdotes._--A squirrel, seated in a nut-tree, was once
observed to weigh a nut in each paw, to discover by weight which was
good; the light ones he invariably dropped, thus making a heap of them
at the foot of the tree. On examining this heap, it was found to
consist entirely of bad nuts.
A gentleman near Edinburgh took a common squirrel from a nest, which he
reared, and rendered extremely docile. It was kept in a box, nailed
against the wall, which was wired in front, and had a small aperture at
the end, to allow the animal to enter. To the end of the box was
suspended a rope, which touched the ground, by which the animal
descended from and ascended to its domicile at pleasure. It became
extremely playful, and was familiar with every one of the family, but
devotedly attached to its master, who generally carried it about with
him in his coat-pocket.
The little creature used to watch all its master's movements. Whenever
it saw him preparing to go out, it ran up his legs, and entered his
pocket, from whence it would peep out at passengers, as he walked along
the streets--never venturing, however, to go out. But no sooner did he
reach the outskirts of the city, than the squirrel leaped to the
ground, ran along the road, ascended the tops of trees and hedges with
the quickness of lightning, and nibbled at the leaves and bark; and, if
he walked on, it would descend, scamper after him, and again enter his
pocket. In this manner, it would amuse itself during a walk of miles,
which its master frequently indulged in.
It was taught to catch food, roots, and acorns, with its fore-paws,
which it accomplished with great neatness. It was also instructed to
leap over a stick, held out to it, and perform various other little
tricks.
A lady in England had a squirrel which she taught to crack nuts for
her, and hand her the kernels with his paws. She also instructed him to
count money; and he was so attentive that, whenever he found a coin on
the ground, he took it up and carried it to her. So attached was this
little creature to its mistress, that, whenever she was confined to her
bed, from indisposition, he lay still in his cage, without moving,
although, at other times, he was full of life and vivacity.
Some years ago, as a Swede was constructing a mill dike, late in the
autumn, he accidentally came upon an abode of the ground or striped
squirrel. He traced it to some distance, and found a gallery on one
side, like a branch, diverging from the main stem, nearly two feet
long; at its farther end was a quantity of fine white oak acorns; he
soon after discovered another gallery, which contained a store of corn;
a third was filled with walnuts; while a fourth contained three quarts
of fine chestnuts;--all of which the provident little animal had stored
up for the winter.
A correspondent of the "Penny Magazine" gives us the following account:
"Although apparently not adapted to swimming, yet both gray and black
squirrels venture across lakes that are one or two miles wide. In these
adventurous exploits, they generally take advantage of a favorable
breeze, elevating their tails, which act like sails, thus rendering
their passage quicker and less laborious. I have frequently noticed
black squirrels crossing Niagara River, and I always remarked that they
swam across when the morning first began to dawn. On reaching the
opposite shore, they appeared greatly fatigued, and, if unmolested,
generally took a long rest preparatory to their setting off for the
woods."
The black and gray squirrels of the western country frequently
emigrate, in immense numbers, from one district to another. They may be
often seen swimming across the Ohio; and it is not uncommon for persons
to stand upon the banks, and kill them as they come to the shore, being
then in an exhausted state.