Northern Flying-squirrel 441 



I have no direct evidence on the home-range of this home- 

 species, but analogy with other Squirrels and the absence of 

 any migratory habit lead me to believe that the Flying-squirrel 

 is content with a domain of two or three acres. 



In my Connecticut home woods I have more than once abun- 

 found three Flying-squirrel (volans) nests within a radius of 

 fifty yards. This instance sheds some light on the creature's 

 abundance — three families within two acres; and therefore I 

 should say that here the Flying-squirrel is more abundant than 

 the Red-squirrel, and yet is rarely seen. Its secretive noctur- 

 nal habits lead many to believe that it is not found in their 

 locality, even though it may be the most numerous of its group. 



I never knew of more than one family together in the nest- socia- 



... BILITY 



ing time, but in December, 1882, I found 9 adults living in one 

 stub at Carberry. They were so close together that a rifle ball 

 fired by my companion at the stub below their hole killed 4 and 

 wounded another of the 9. They were undoubtedly profiting by 

 each other's company for warmth, therefore this animal is some- 

 what sociable. The kindred species is well known to nest in 

 colonies where some specially favourable spot is discovered. 



The cry of this species is said to be like that of volans, voice 

 which is a prolonged squeak not unlike the complaint of a 

 red-eyed vireo whose nest is threatened. 



My observations on volans tend to show that that species mating 

 pairs, and that the male takes an active interest in the young. 

 I have not been able to watch sahrinus at the season of repro- 

 duction, but analogy prepares one to believe that in domestic 

 matters it is as good as its near relative. 



The usual nesting place is a deserted hole, but any hoi- nest- 

 low tree will serve. 



The young number from 3 to 6 and are born about the young 

 last of April. 



