538 Natural History of the N.E. Extremity 



Arvicola xanthognathus, and, probably, A. pennsylvanica, Meadow mouse. 



iWus Rattus, Common rat. 



M us ? sylvaticus, Small field rat (or mouse) of the woods. — I used to 

 remark a cat which brought in one daily, apparently referrible to this 

 species. 



Gerbillus canadensis, Canadian jerboa, long-tailed jumping mouse. — A 

 constant visiter in our camps, at every place where I staid in the woods 

 of the Alleghany Mountains. This elegant animal is extremely fami- 

 liar; a little too free, occasionally, in jumping over one's person 

 during the night. It is attracted by the provisions, to which it quickly 

 returns after being chased away. One female selected my trunk, to 

 which she contrived to obtain access, and deposited her four young 

 ones in some cotton brought for stuffing birds. 



A'rctomys monax, Maryland marmot, wood chuck, ground hog. — We saw 

 several, and caught one or two, and shot another, near a mountain 

 stream, at the height of 1600 ft. It is a coarse-haired unsightly 

 animal. 



A'rctomys tredecemlineata ? tfciurus, Striped and spotted ground squirrel? — 

 These active little creatures multiply greatly about new settlements, 

 and are more frequently seen in the wooden fences of fields than in 

 the uncleared woods. 



/Sciurus cinereus Grey squirrel ; <Sciurus niger, Black squirrel ; »Seiurus stri- 

 atus, Ground squirrel; Seiurus hudsonius, Red squirrel or Chickaree. — 

 The four species are extremely numerous in the woods. They are 

 eaten as great delicacies, particularly the grey and black squirrels. On 

 account of the great damage they do to the grain and corn, they are 

 destroyed without mercy. Shooting matches are frequently formed 

 for this object. On the 8th of June, a match was decided between 

 twenty men on each side, in Lycoming valley, who, during three days, 

 were to shoot the greatest number of squirrels and other animals that 

 are pronounced destructive to the farmer's corn, grain, domestic ani- 

 mals, fowls, &c. At this meeting were produced 2657 head of all de- 

 nominations coming under this class. Nearly at the same time, in the 

 adjoining county of Tioga, another party was matched to shoot 

 squirrels, when the winning side brought in no less than 1732 squirrels, 

 and the losing party produced 1035 ; the whole being 2767 squirrels. 



Pteromys volucella, American flying squirrel. — They are rarely visible 

 in the daytime, hiding and sleeping in hollow trees, and at night come 

 out stealthily to feed. It is very common to keep them in cages, but 

 they are not so amusing and lively, in such confinement, as the other 

 species of squirrel. In the warm state of Virginia they swarm in the 

 woods. 



Jf/ystrix dorsata, Common porcupine. — Saw four of these in May last; 

 one of which nearly destroyed two dogs, who have a mortal antipathy 

 to these animals, and attack them furiously. They generally are fully 

 revenged on their antagonists, and, in the case I refer to, it was hor- 

 rible to witness the condition of the dogs, whose mouth, gums, tongue, 

 and throat, were stuck full of spines, which were not extracted without 

 great difficulty. The porcupine attains its largest size on the Alleghany 

 Mountains : I measured one which exceeded 4 ft. in length. In June, 

 my men took the trouble to cut down a lofty hemlock, on whose top- 

 most bough a large porcupine had taken refuge. I wished to obtain 

 his head for Dr. Harlan, and carried it in my hands, for two hot days, 

 through the woods. It is now in his collection of comparative anatomy. 

 [VI. 510, 511.] 



iepus americanus, American rabbit (a true hare). — Generally white, or 

 nearly so, on these mountains. We always saw them about the laurel 

 swamps, on the highest part of the Alleghanies. 



