332 MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS SCIURUS. 



ochreous colour prevails, and a tinge of the same colour on 

 the upper surface of the fore legs, above the knees. The feet 

 are light grey ; the tail, for three fourths of its length from 

 the root, is yellowish brown, then black edged with white ; 

 the throat, inner surface of the legs, and the belly, white. 



This species is not subject to run into varieties, which is 

 so striking a characteristic of the northern grey and black 

 squirrel. The specimens received from North Carolina, Ala- 

 bama, Florida, and Louisiana, scarcely present a shade of dif- 

 ference from those existing in South Carolina, and which I 

 have described above. 



Geographical Distribution.- — This species is exceedingly 

 abundant in South Carolina, especially in low swampy situa- 

 tions. A specimen was sent to me from Louisiana, where it 

 is said not to be abundant. It is common in Alabama and 

 Mississippi, is found everywhere in the low grounds of Geor- 

 gia, and is the only species in the southern peninsula of East 

 Florida. Its northern boundary I have been unable to de- 

 termine with positive certainty. I have received it from 

 North Carolina, and have an impression that I saw it in the 

 southern portions of New Jersey, and that it is not uncom- 

 mon in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia. 



Habits. — This species differs as much in habit from the 

 northern grey squirrel, as it does in form and colour. After 

 an intimate acquaintance with the habits of the northern spe- 

 cies, I was particularly struck with the peculiarities of this, on 

 the first occasion afforded me of seeing it in the woods. Its 

 bark has not the fulness of the other, and is much shriller and 

 more querulous. Instead of mounting high on the tree when 

 alarmed, as is the case with the northern species, this clings 

 around the body, on the opposite side, at the distance of 

 twelve or fourteen feet, often concealing itself beneath the 

 Spanish moss (Tillandsia usnoides), which hangs trailing 

 round the tree. When a person who has alarmed it, remains 

 quiet for a few moments, it has the habit of the northern chick- 

 aree {Sciurus Hudsonius) of descending a few feet, and taking 

 a seat on the first convenient limb, as if watching his motions. 

 It is, however, capable of climbing to the extremity of the 

 limbs, and leaping from tree to tree, but is less wild than the 

 northern species, and is as easily approached as the chicka- 

 ree. The person who is desirous of obtaining the Carolina 

 squirrel, has only to take his seat for a few moments in any 

 of the swamps of Carolina, and he will be surprised at the 

 immense numbers that are running along the logs, and leap- 

 ing among the surrounding trees. In this manner great num- 

 bers are killed, and their flesh is juicy and tender. 



