112 Field Museum of Natural History ^ — ^ Zoology, Vol. XL 



is said to be particularly fond of strawberries. In common with other 

 squirrels, it sometimes eats insects; and it has occasionally been observed 

 to gnaw the bark from dead trees, to procure beetles and their larvse. 

 . It is a common opinion that this and other squirrels carry large 

 hoards of nuts to hollow trees for consumption in winter. So far as our 

 three species common in Illinois, are concerned, this is entirely erroneous. 

 With the exception of the little 'Chickaree,' no true squirrel that I 

 have observed ever collects food for winter in hollow trees. A few 

 nut-shells are sometimes found in a squirrel's hole, but these are only 

 such as he has taken there to be eaten at the time. The fox-squirrel, 

 with the migratory and Carolina squirrels, also, as well as others prob- 

 ably, buries large quantities of nuts and acorns under the leaves in 

 autumn, for use in winter. These, however, are not collected together, 

 but concealed one in a place. In winter, the squirrels dig them up; 

 and, when the ground is covered with snow, numerous holes will be 

 seen where they have dug down to get them. It is interesting to notice 

 that they seldom dig through the snow and leaves in this way without 

 coming directly upon the buried nut or acorn, and a common idea is 

 that the animal 'remembers' the spot. This is highly improbable. 

 It is more reasonable to suppose that the animal is guided by the sense 

 of smell. Dr. Hoy tells me that he has seen squirrels run about with 

 the nose close to the snow or leaves, and finally dig directly upon a 

 buried nut without hesitation. He gives it as his opinion that they 

 can always smell the food, unless it is buried under very deep snow. . . . 



"The fox-squirrel is more solitary in its habits than the migratory 

 squirrel*. More than two old ones are rarely, if ever, found living 

 together. In the summer and fall, the old males lead a solitary life, 

 as they sometimes do in winter. As soon as the young are able to take 

 care of themselves, the female usually drives them off, when the old 

 male, which has retired to a summer residence to escape the discomfort 

 attendant upon the rearing of a family, returns to the winter-quarters 

 and society of his chosen mate ; for, usually this species is not polygamous. 

 This squirrel often, if not generally, builds several nests, each of which 

 is sometimes a simple pile of twigs and leaves placed in the forks 

 of a tree, but at other times is carefully and ingeniously constructed, 

 being round, with the central cavity quite roofed over, and a small 

 entrance on the side. The more carefully-formed nests are usually on 

 tall trees; but temporary habitations are frequently built on small 

 trees, and within 20 feet of the ground. After being driven off by the 

 mother, the young usually separate and lead a wandering life, for a 

 time at least. They build nests wherever they stop, even for a day or 



* Gray Squirrel. 



