MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS SCIURUS. 333 



Although the Carolina grey squirrel is sometimes seen on 

 high grounds, among the oak and hickory trees, yet its usual 

 haunts are in low swampy places, and among the trees over- 

 hanging our streams and the borders of our rivers. In the 

 cypress-swamps, covered in many places with several feet of 

 water during the whole year, it takes up its constant residence, 

 moving among the entwined branches above with great faci- 

 lity. Its hole, in such situations, is in the hollow of some 

 cypress, and on the surrounding tupelos {Nyssa aquatica) 

 many nests, composed principally of Spanish moss and leaves, 

 are everywhere seen. In these nests they occasionally depo- 

 sit their young. These are five or six in number, — brought 

 forth in March ; and it is generally stated that the female 

 produces young twice in a season. 



This species has one peculiarity which I have not observed 

 in any other. It may be said to be, in some respects, noc- 

 turnal, or at least crepuscular, in its habits. In riding along 

 the by-paths of our swamps, long after sun-set, we are often 

 startled by the noise of this little squirrel. It scratches among 

 the leaves, ■ courses from tree to tree, and scatters over the 

 earth the seeds of the maple &c, which are thrown off from 

 the extremities of the branches above. I have noticed it by 

 moon-light, as actively engaged as the flying squirrel. It is 

 scarcely ever seen in the company of, or even found in the same 

 neighbourhood with, the fox squirrel ; not so much, proba- 

 bly, from their having any antipathy to each other, as from the 

 very different localities suited to the habits of each species. 



The habit of the Carolina grey squirrel in roving about late 

 in the evening, causes it frequently to become the prey of the 

 Virginian and barred owl, and especially the latter, which is 

 very abundant in the swamps of Carolina. The owl glides 

 with noiseless wing through the trees, and the startled squir- 

 rel is often seized without an effort to escape. The rattle- 

 snake, black snake, and our southern chicken snake, are oc- 

 casionally killed with this species in their bodies. They also 

 frequently furnish the grey fox with a dainty meal ; and the 

 wild cat (Felis rufa) often captures them by stealth. On two 

 or three occasions I have had opportunities of witnessing the 

 dexterity of this prowling thief, in capturing the squirrel. — 

 Concealing himself in the brush-wood, near some fallen log, 

 in places frequented by this species, he remains immoveable 

 for hours together, until the unsuspecting animal passes near 

 his hiding-place, when he suddenly pounces upon it, and car- 

 ries it to some neighbouring thicket, where, among the en- 

 tangled vines of smilax and the wild rose-bush, he devours it 

 at his leisure. 



