NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



body averages 8 inches in length ; tail to the end 

 of the terminal hairs, 6-J: inches. 



THE GREY SQUIRREL 



(Sciurus carolinensis) 



Although not native to South Africa, the Grey 

 Squirrel is now a familiar figure in and about Cape 

 Town. It was originally introduced by the late 

 Mr. Cecil John Rhodes, who released a few pairs 

 on his estate at Groot Schuur. These Squirrels 

 throve so well in their new environment that they 

 have spread all over the suburbs of Cape Town, 

 and are now a source of much vexation to fruit- 

 growers. Unless destroyed they will spread to other 

 parts of South Africa, and become a serious pest. 

 They are now on the vermin list, and threepence 

 per head bounty is paid by the Cape Provincial 

 Government. 



The Grey Squirrel is an inhabitant of North 

 America, from the northern borders of the United 

 States, southwards through Mexico to Guatemala. 



It is an extremely lively little creature. It 

 buries its stores of food in various parts of the 

 forests just beneath the ground, and in cavities in 

 tree-trunks, if such should be available. 



When surprised upon the ground this nimble 

 little fellow makes for the nearest tree, and, with 

 the aid of his strong, curved claws, is aloft amongst 



S6 



