The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-18

abundant a dozen or more may sometimes be seen enjoying themselves together. Bounding lightly into the air from the swaying summit of a tall tree, spread ing its wings for a flying leap, one of these squirrels gldes smoothly and swift ly on an inclined air plane for thirty forty. even fifty yards; when a movement of the rudder like tall guides the body upward for an instant. with half asomer- sault, and the creature settles as light as feather upon bough or trunk of the tree for which it set sail
 Species of Flying Squirrel.
 ''In the forests of Asia I found the pteromi, another species of flying squirrel. By the aid of the membrane which Is spread between its fore and hind feet it can jump from one branch to another without the slightest difficulty, it's move ments in the course of flight being regu- lated by its cyIndric tail. the same as a ships evolutions are controlled by It's rudder. The animal is exceedingly quick in its movements, and. like the rest of the flying squirrels, nocturnal In its habits.
 ''The scale tailed squirrels, as they are commonly called, can aptly be described as flying squirrels with climbing irons; the under side of the tall being furnished for some distance from the root with series of large, horny scales. which, when press ed against the trunk of tree, serve the same purpose as climbing irons
 .'The parachute Is similar to that of the true flying squirrel, but Is attached to the fore limbs at the elbow instead of the wrist, and is therefore less extensive. The animal averages about fourteen inches in length, is of a bright reddish color, and is found only in Africa.
 ''I found a very interesting little flying animal in Siberia, where it is called a polatouche. This animal looks consider a ply like the flying squirrels and has sim liar habits. It Is not more than eight or ten inches long. lives in pine or birch forests, and can clear from twenty to twenty-five yards at a bound. "On the ground its movements are slow and awkward, owing to the loose folds of skin which impede it. but among the trees 1t is wonderfully quick in flying from branch to branch. It is an exceeding Iy scarce animal, and had long search before securing a specimen.
 The Bellde.
 "The belide or flying phalanger, which is found only in Australia, is remark able, not only for the large size of its parachute, but also for the abdominal pouch of the female. in which. like the opossum and kangaroo, she carries her young This little creature also uses it's tail as a sort of rudder in its flight through the air. It is much prized by the natives as food
 In tropical regions is found an animal called the flying fox. It Is difficult to say how this species came to be so named, Is it is really a bat.
 This animal is living refutation of the assertion of temperance advocates that animals do not naturally drink intox- icating liquors. According to Francis Day, they often pass the night drinking from the chatties of the cocoanut trees, which results either in their returning home in the early morning in a state of extreme and riotous intoxication or in being found next day at the foot of the trees sleeping off the effects of their de- bauch.'
 Tn the Loyalty Islands, fin the South Seas, the red fur under the ears of these animals Is sometimes cut out. strung on a string and used for money. They are also used for ornament"