438 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



the colour becomes a very dark blackish brown, which forms 

 a band and ends sharply against the white of the under sides. 



The under parts of the animal are white, but next the 

 body the fur is a dull leaden gray. The under side of the tail is 

 more or less tinged with fawn colour, and there is a blackish 

 ring around each eye. 



In winter it is much browner above and tinged with yellow 

 beneath. 



Female similar. 



When seen alive it looks like a buff and slate-coloured 

 Squirrel with very solid, flat tail, and white or creamy breast. 



From its near relatives in America it may be distinguished 

 thus: 



sahrinus Shaw, is about 12 inches long, of which the 



tail is 6; it has hind-foot 1 1. Fur on breast white, 



but ashy at roots} 

 volans Linn., is much smaller, having, 1., 9 in; t., 4; 



hft., l|. Fur on under parts pure white to roots, 

 alpinus Rich., somewhat like sabrinus, but larger and 



grayer. Size, 1., 12 in.; t., 5; hft., i|. 

 yukonensis Osgood, largest of all with very long tail; 



it is darker than the others, and tinged fulvous on 



under parts. Size, 1., 14; t., 7; hft., if. 



The following races oi sabrinus are recognized: 

 sabrinus Shaw, the typical form. 

 macrotis Mearns, smaller, with longer ears and redder 



fur. 

 silus Bangs, smaller and much darker than sabrinus. 

 makkovikensis Sornborger, a large and very dark form. 



Life-history. 

 RANGE The type was described from Severn River. My speci- 



mens, taken at Rat Portage (now Kenora), Winnipeg, Morden, 

 and Carberry, are true sabrinus, as doubtless are all within 



'While this was in press E. A. Preble's N. A. Fauna, No. 27, appeared; in that 

 the author claims that in the Mackenzie Region alpinus grades into sabrinus, p. 172. 



