ovident 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.
THE MOUSE.
Of this genus there are many species, including not only the domestic
mouse, but several other kinds, as well as the various kinds of rats.
The common mouse was not originally a native of this country, but was
introduced from Europe. The same may be said of the common rat. These
animals are spread over nearly the whole world, seeming always to be
the attendants upon man.
_Miscellaneous Anecdotes._--"On a rainy evening," says Dr. Archer, "as
I was alone in my chamber in the town of Norfolk, I took up my flute
and commenced playing. In a few moments, my attention was directed to
a mouse that I saw creeping from a hole, and advancing to a chair in
which I was sitting. I ceased playing, and it ran precipitately back to
its hole. I began again to play, and was much surprised to see it
reappear, and take its old position. It couched upon the floor, shut
its eyes, and appeared in ecstasy, being differently affected by the
music I played, as it varied from slow and plaintive to lively and
animated."
A gentleman who was on board a British man of war, in the year 1817,
states that, as he and some officers were seated by the fire, one of
them began to play a plaintive air on the violin. He had scarcely
performed ten minutes, when a mouse, apparently frantic, made its
appearance in the centre of the floor. The strange gestures of the
little animal strongly excited th
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