a strong sinew or muscle between the fore and hinder legs; and it is by
the help of this muscle that it is able to spring so far, and so fast; and
its claws are so sharp that it can cling to a wall, or any flat surface.
The black and red squirrels, and the common grey, can jump very far, and
run up the bark of the trees very fast, but not so fast as the flying
squirrel."

At last Lady Mary's maid, with the help of one of the housemaids,
succeeded in catching the squirrel, and securing him within his cage. But
though Lady Mary tried all her words of endearment to coax the little
creature to eat some of the good things that had been provided so
liberally for his entertainment, he remained sullen and motionless at the
bottom of the cage. A captive is no less a captive in a cage with gilded
bars, and with dainties to eat, than if rusted iron shut him in, and kept
him from enjoying his freedom. It is for dear liberty that he pines, and
is sad, even in the midst of plenty!

"Dear nurse, why does my little squirrel tremble and look so unhappy?
Tell me if he wants anything to eat that we have not given him. Why does
he not lie down and sleep on the nice soft bed you have made for him in
his little chamber? See, he has not tasted the nice sweet cake and sugar
that I gave him."

"He is not used to such dainties, Lady Mary. In the forest, he feeds upon
hickory-nuts, and butter-nuts, and acorns, and beech-mast, and the buds of
the spruce, fir and pine kernels, and many other seeds and nuts and
berries, that we could not get for him; he loves grain too, and Indian
corn. He sleeps on green moss and leaves, and fine fibres of grass and
roots; and drinks heaven's blessed dew, as it lies bright and pure upon
the herbs of the field."