Maynakd on the Mammals of Florida. 23 



22. ScALOPS AQTTATicus Fischev. Shrew Mole. — Very 

 common at Blue Spring, where they do considerable dam- 

 age by disturbing the roots of vegetables and plants in the 

 cultivated fields. They are also said to eat sweet potatoes. 

 They form their burrows only an inch or two below the 

 surface; throwing up ridges so that their presence is readily 

 detected. This w^ork is usually performed during the 

 night. 



26. SciURUS NIGER Xm?^. Southern Fox Squirrel. — 

 Quite common in the piny woods, but I do not think that 

 they are ever to be found in the hummocks. They feed 

 upon the seeds of the pines and are therefore usually found 

 in the tops of the trees which are commonly high ; thus it 

 is quite difficult to procure specimens, as on the approach 

 of the hunter they conceal themselves among the thick 

 foliage. They are extremely variable in color, specimens 

 being found which exhibit all shades of coloration from pale 

 rufous to black or dusky. The latter colors predominate, 

 however. I think this species is confined to the more 

 northern portions of the state, as I have never seen it at 

 Miami. 



24. SciURUS CAROLiNENSis Gmelin. Gray Squirrel. — 

 Very abundant in the northern and central sections of the 

 state, but singularly I did not see it at Miami, or among 

 the Keys. They inhabit the hummocks and are seldom 

 seen in the piny woods. They have much the same habits 

 as those which inhabit New England. But I cannot now 

 remember of ever having seen a nest of sticks and leaves 

 such as this species construct in the north. Specimens are 

 not only smaller in size, but are also more rufous than 

 northern individuals. I ha\e never seen a specimen of 

 the black variety in Florida and am confident that it seldom, 

 if ever, occurs. 



