and yet they do considerable damage. Stoats and martens kill a few, and harry
the young in the nests, and formerly buzzards and goshawks used to prey largely
upon them, but now these birds are so scarce that their attacks can hardly be said
to count.
Most of us who live in the country have kept these charming creatures as pets,
so it is superfluous to comment on their delightful little ways and mercurial
dispositions. The pleasure of retaining their friendship may be much enhanced
by allowing them full liberty after they are once tame: they will return at all
seasons to take food from those whom they know.
They are the best of pets for children, who as a rule overfeed an animal one
day and neglect it for a week. In the case of ‘ Squggie ’ he can look after himself
out of doors when he is forgotten.
The Squirrel constantly figures in old folklore tales. In Germany there is
supposed to be an alliance between the Squirrels, as the little people of the trees,
and the fairies, who are the elves of the grass and flowers; while in Norway the
Squirrel is regarded as the postman of the forest, who carries all sorts of news
between the different wild animals. In Germany, too, he is a sort of Christmas
patron saint like Santa Claus, and brings presents to those whom he favours.
From its red colour it is associated in Norse mythology1 with the great god
Thor, and ‘ in the Edda we read of the great ash tree Ygdrasil, whose branches
erhbrace the world, on the crown of which sits an eagle: under its roots lurks
the serpent Nidhogr; while between them the Squirrel, ever running up and down,
seeks to sow dissension.’ The whole is a fine allegory of human life. Traditions
of great forests where none now exist are still kept alive in country districts by
old sayings that the Squirrel could pass from tree to tree over great distances
without descending. Thus we have in Cumberland various tales of this kind
relating to the great woods which once existed in the North of England and in
Cheshire.
From Blaem Point to Hilbree
Squirrels in search o f food
Might then jump straight from tree to tree,
S o thick the forest stood :
this signifies the extent of the old Wirral Forest. Mr. R. M. Barrington, too,
gives other instances.
In days gone by this little animal suffered constant persecution from the
1 The Rev. Chas. Swainson in J . A. Harvie-Brown’s Squirrel in Great Britain, p. 31.