Red-squirrel 313 



Sociable animals do things which are of no direct benefit 

 to themselves, but helpful to others of their species, exclusive 

 of their young and mates. In this highest sense according to 

 present evidence the Red-squirrel, though slightly gregarious, 

 is not sociable. 



In voice, the Red-squirrel of Manitoba does not differ from voice 

 the common Red-squirrel of Ontario and Connecticut {var. 

 loquax) so far as I can see. The prolonged chatter, the re- 

 peated coughing and scolding, and the deep whining that pre- 

 cedes the chatter, are common to both forms. 



In my woods is a Red-squirrel, apparently a female, that 

 is a singer. She seems to amuse herself by uttering all the 

 Squirrel notes in rapid succession, going over the list a number 

 of times, and in various combinations, until her performance 

 has lasted ten or fifteen minutes. This is doubtless an un- 

 usual individual, but she illustrates the musical habit that we 

 know now to be common to many, and may yet be found in 

 all of the Mouse and Squirrel families. 



The mating of the Red-squirrel in Manitoba takes place matlxg 

 late in March or early in April. About Toronto I found the 

 male showing signs, internal and external, of sexual activity 

 as early as February 6. 



I have no conclusive evidence to show whether the sexes pairing 

 truly pair or simply consort for the time being. I have, how- 

 ever, seen two adults at work building a nest, and this is strong 

 evidence, since it is the rule for the male among polygamous 

 animals to shirk all family responsibilities. 



The two albino Squirrels already noted at Woodstock, 

 N. Y., were seen together all summer and autumn. 



William Brewster and several other naturalists are of the 

 opinion that the Red-squirrel pairs, and the following evidence 

 has bearing on the question: 



On the afternoon of July 19, 1905, at Cos Cob, Conn., I 

 heard a continuous whining churr-churr from a Red-squirrel 

 in the trees under the window, and I saw, about ten feet off, a 



