[TO TH2 EDITOR OP TRH “ErEcriroa."]
SIB,—Reading in your paper of October 9th an account of a squirrel's ferry-boat, I am reminded of a similar history by William Howitt in a book called " Sketches of Natural History," published in 1834. He writes as himself witnessing the "migration of the grey squirrels," and the locality is apparently Siberia. It is too long to quote entirely, but I give three or four verses :- " A broad stream came in -view.
Then did each wondrous creature show His cunning and bravery. With a piece of the pine bark in his month Unto the stream came he.
And boldly his little bark he launched Without the least delay, His bushy tail was his upright sail And he merrily steered away.
Never was there a lovelier sight Than that grey squirrels' fleet, And with anxious eyes I watched to see What fortune it would meet.
Soon had they reached the rough mid-stream, And ever and anon I grieved to behold some small bark wrecked And its little steersman gone.
But the main fleet stoutly held across, I saw them leap to shore."
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