346 



SCIURUS CAEOLINENSIS LEUCOTIS, (Gapper) ^Allen). 

 THE NORTHERN GRAY SQUIRREL AND BLACK SQUIRREL. 



Specific Gkaractcr. — Above grizzled light yellowish gray; beneath pure 

 white. A yellowish brown dash of greater or less extent on the back, and sepa- 

 rating the colours of the belly and sides. Back of ears and adjacent region of the 

 occiput usually with a white wooly tuft. 



Habitat. — Eastern United States, often seen in Ontario in company with the 

 black variet}'. 



Average Size. — Equal to that of a very large rat! 



Average Weh^ht.—l to 2 pounds. 



Average Height. — 4 inches. 



Average Length. — 18 inches; nose to tail, 10 inches; tail, 8 inches. 



Value oj Fur. — Valueless. 



These squirrels are hunted by sportsmen, being considered by many a great 

 delicacy for the table. The gray and b^ack varieties are in every respect aliku 

 except in colour. The black squirrel is supposed by some naturalists to be merely 

 a melanotic variety of the gray squirrel. Some of the habits of this animal are 

 very strange, migrations for ins-tance, occasionally taking place, when they^ march 

 in thousands in one direction being stopped by nothing, even large rivers or bodies 

 ■^of water are passed, and the journey i)roceeded with. Naturalists do not give 

 any very satisfactory^ reason for these migrations. Some say it is on account of 

 the scarify of food, lout such is not always the case. 



The gray and black squirrel generally breed twice or three times during the 

 warm season of the year, having from three to six at a litter. The nest is nearly 

 always in a hole in a hollow tree. 



Their food consists of nuts, buds of trees, and grain. 



Generally speaking the squirrel is abundant in Ontario, and the four varieties 

 mentioned before are well known. 



The little animal is shot principally for the pot, its skin being of no value 

 whatever. 



It is a beautiful object of nature, and it is to be regretted for this reason 

 that it is so seldom spared. 



The squirrel feeds earl}- in the morning, and subsists on fruit, grain, nuts, and 

 young shoots. Immediately its meal is over the little animal returns to rest, re- 

 appearing in the afternoon to play and chatter until tw^ilight. 



The squirrel has no cheek pouches, although it is ignorantly supposed to be 

 furnished with them. 



It is a hibernating animal, and lays up its store of food in the fall of the 



year. 



It is naturally extremely shy, and will take alarm at the slightest noise ; but 

 if the hunter knows enough to remain still, the squirrel will return almost im- 

 mediately, and thus often falls a victim to its own cariosity. 



The squirrel breeds twnce or three times during the spring and summer, and 

 the female produces several young at a litter. 



The young mature in Auyust and September, and are in best condition fur 

 shooting late in fall and winter. 



The squirrel is easil}' tamed and is a common pet. 



