I'lll-: SQUIRRELS. 



Tlu' i;;uiu' laws i)f ]Vnnsylvaiii;i piHPti'ct two spinios 

 of Siiuirivlfi wliiob are dosisnatiHi by tlio common 

 names of Fox, Gray and "Black." The Gray Squirrel 

 and the Black Squirrel are very jjenerally regaiiied 

 by sportsmen as dilYerent species. Naturalists, how- 

 ever do not so consider them, but call the black iu- 

 <lividnals melanistic examples of the Northern Gray 

 Squirrel, (Sciurtts carolinensisl lencniis). The array 

 form and their black-coated relatives are some years 

 very abundant in ditferent sections in the hard wood 

 districts aloujr the Philadelphia and Eiie K^jilroad 

 from Williamsport to Warren. In the seasons of 189(5 

 and 1S97 individuals of this species, particularly those 

 with gray coats, were very abundant at dilferent points 

 along the Northern Central Railroad from Williams 

 port to Elmira. 



Besides the Squirrels namt'd iu the last almve jiara- 

 graph we have the Flying Squirrel, a species and sub 

 sjiecies of the Red Squirrel, and one species and a 

 geogi-aphical race of the Ohipmunk (vr Striped Ground 

 Squirrel. These animals feed on nuts (mast), seeds. 

 roots, buds, lurries and fruits; they eat cereals, but, 

 with the ex(e])tion of tlie Gray Squirrel, which, in 

 some sections and in certain years is quite plentiful, 

 they do but little damage to the farmer in the way of 

 destroying his crops. Squirrels, however, do not live 

 exdusivel.v on a vegetalde diet; they c.-itch insects and 

 some of Iheni often devour the eggs and young of birds. 



