14 THE jour:n^al of the 



districts in preference to more settled places. It seems to 

 have a decided fondness for oak woods. 



The Gray Sqnirrel is the largest and handsomest of our 

 Squirrels and is much sought after as a pet. It seldom 

 constructs its own nest, but selects the deserted one of 

 some hawk or crow, which it adapts to its own use. When, 

 however, this species makes a nest for itself, it does so in 

 a rough and careless manner, employing in the construc- 

 tion sticks, pliable bark, etc. The young are reared in 

 May. The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo horealis) is said to 

 prey on this species to a considerable extent. 



3. SciUTius HUDSONius Pallas. Red Squirrel. This 

 species is rather more abundant than the preceding, and 

 is more northerly in its distribution. It is more familiar 

 and not so solitary in its habits, being found frequently in 

 the immediate neighborhood of the dwellings of man, and 

 sometimes making its habitations and rearing its young in 

 barns and other outbuildings. 



4. SciURUS CINEREUS Liuu. Fox Squirrel. A very rare 

 species, of irregular occurrence, being nothing more than 

 a straggler here. It is said to occur abundantly in the 

 hickory woods of Western Pennsylvania, and is usually 

 found farther South than Massachusetts. 



5. Tamias striatus Linn. Striped Squirrel or Chip- 

 munk. Our commonest Squirrel. It is likewise our 

 smallest and most familiar species, generally occurring in 

 the vicinity of cultivated estates, and seldom seeking the 

 solitude of the deep woods. The nest is made in or under 

 loose stone walls, in holes in trees, and other similar situ- 

 ations. 



6. Arctomys iMONAx Gmelin. Woodchuck. A very 

 abundant and well known species, occurring in great num- 

 bers throughout all our pasture land. It is somewhat noc- 

 turnal in its habits. It makes its burrows, to which there 

 are generally two entrances, at the foot of trees and at 

 the base of stone walls. When cornered the Wood- 

 chuck fights desperately, and often becomes troublesome 

 by carrying off young chickens. 



