122 MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS SCIURUS. 



tained for a considerable length of time, without much suffer- 

 ing, in the absence of food. When this animal makes his 

 appearance in the winter, he is seen searching among the 

 leaves where the wild turkey has been busy at work, and 

 gleaning the refuse acorns which have escaped his search ; at 

 such times also this species does not reject worms and insects 

 which he may detect beneath the bark of fallen or decayed 

 trees. Towards spring he feeds on the buds of the hickory, 

 oak, and various other trees, as well as on several kinds of 

 roots, especially of the wild potato. As the spring advances 

 farther, he is a constant visitor to the black mulberry tree 

 {Morus rubra), where he finds a supply for several weeks. — 

 From this time till winter the fruits of the field and forests en- 

 able him to revel in abundance. 



Most other species of this genus when alarmed in the woods 

 immediately betake themselves to the first convenient tree 

 that presents itself, — not so with the fox squirrel. When he 

 is aware of being discovered whilst on the ground, he pushes 

 directly for a hollow tree, which is often a quarter of a mile 

 distant, and it requires a good dog, a man on horseback, or a 

 very swift runner, to induce him to alter his course, or com- 

 pel him to ascend any other tree. When he is silently seated 

 on a tree, and imagines himself unperceived by the person 

 approaching him, he suddenly spreads himself flatly on the 

 limb, and gently moving to the opposite side, often by this 

 stratagem escapes detection. When however he is on a small 

 tree, and is made aware of being observed, he utters a few 

 querulous, barking notes, and immediately leaps to the ground 

 and hastens to a more secure retreat. If overtaken by a dog 

 he defends himself with great spirit, and is often an over- 

 match for the small terriers which are used for the purpose of 

 treeing him. He is very tenacious of life, and an ordinary 

 shot gun, although it may wcund him repeatedly, will seldom 

 bring him down from the tops of the high pines to which he 

 retreats when pursued, and in such situations the rifle is the 

 only certain enemy he has to dread. 



This squirrel is seldom seen out of its retreat early in the 

 mornings and evenings, as is the habit of the other species. 

 He seems to be a late riser, and usually makes his first appear- 

 ance at 10 or 11 o'clock, and retires to his domicile long be- 

 fore evening. He does not appear to indulge so frequently in 

 the barking propensities of the genus as the other and small- 

 er species. This note when heard is not very loud but hoarse 

 and guttural. He is easily domesticated, and is occasionally 

 seen in cages, but is less active and sprightly than the small- 

 er species. 



