42 



hundred and fifty yards away from a neighboring forest. Another boy, 

 who was with me, and I, immediately made an attack upon it ; the 

 Squirrel seeing that its only safety lay in reaching the otlier larger 

 trees jumped to the ground and set off at full speed in that direction, 

 we pursued and after a hard race overtook it ; I then threw my hat 

 over it and then held it fast, and taking hold of its tail, which pro- 

 truded beyond the rim of my hat, held it out at arm's length by its 

 tip, thinking it could not bite me when held in that position. I 

 was, however, deceived, for in less time than it takes to say it, the teeth 

 of the Squirrel had met in the fleshy part of my hand; you may well 

 believe I did not hang on to the tail very much longer. 



The Gi'ey Squirrel, whijh for a long time was held to l)e a distinct 

 species, is now generally classed as the same species as the Black 

 Squirrel. Jordan, in his " Vertebrates of North America," states 

 that the color of this species varies from almost pure white through 

 various shades to jet black ; the lighter colors prevailing north and 

 westward and the darker ones southward. The gioy variety is certainly 

 a rare visitor in Central Canada. The late Mr. Billings states in the 

 Canadian Naturalist that it had never been seen in the Ottawa district 

 at all. I have seen one individual of this color which I sliot a few 

 years ago on a small tributary stream of the Rideau which empties 

 some miles this side of Smith Falls. I have been informed by Mr. 

 Lees (a member of this Club) that he saw one a very short distanca 

 from where he lives about one mile from this place. In size the Grey 

 Squirrel is about the same as his black kinsman. It is said that they 

 do net lay up a hoard of winter provisions. They are known to feed 

 on the larvoi of various species of insects^ but their principal food 

 consists of grain, nuts, etc. 



The Flying Squirrel fSciuropte iis voliccellaj is the fifth and 

 last which I have seen in this part of the country. While 

 occupying a place in the family of squiri-els, having some of 

 the common characteristics, it differs in some important points, 

 and is in consequence i)]ace(l in another genus Sciuropterus, which 

 simply meai.s winged sqiiinels. It is particularly marked by an 

 expansion of the skin extending between the fore and hind legs which, 

 when spiead out, forms a sort of parachute which enables it to make 



