294 Monograph of the Oeims Schirus. 



time, and in fine weather in the middle of the day. He has evidently 

 the power, like the marmot and racoon, of being sustained for a consid- 

 erable length of time, without much suffering, in the absence of food. 

 When this animal makes his appearance in the winter, he is seen search- 

 ing among the. leaves where the wild turkey has been busy at work, and 

 gleaning the refuse acorns which have escaped his search ; at such times 

 also this species does not reject worms and insects which he may detect 

 beneath the bark of fallen or decayed trees. Towards spring he feeds on 

 the buds of the hickory, oak, and various other trees, as well as on sev- 

 eral kinds of roots, especially of the wild potato. As the spring advan- 

 ces farther, he is a constant visitor to the black mulberry tree {Morns 

 rubra) where he finds a supply for several weeks. From tliis time till 

 winter the fruits of the field and forests enable him to revel in abund- 

 ance. 



" Most other species of this genus wlien alarmed in the woods imme- 

 diately betake themselves to the first convenient tree that presents itself, 



not so with the fox squirrel. When he is aware of being discovered whilst 

 on the ground, he pushes directly for a hollow tree, which is often a quar- 

 ter of a mile distant, and it requires a good dog, a man on horseback, or 

 a very swift runner, to induce him to alter his course, or compel him to 

 ascend any other tree. When he is silently seated on a tree, and im- 

 agines himself unperceived by the person approaching 'him, he suddenly 

 spreads himself flatly on the limb, and gently moving to the opposite side, 

 often by this stratagem escapes detection. When however he is on a 

 small tree, and is made aware of being observed, he utters a few queru- 

 lous, barking notes, and immediately leaps to the ground and hastens to 

 a more secure retreat. If overtaken by a dog he defends himself with 

 great spirit, and is often an overmatch for the small terriers which are 

 used for the purpose of treeing him. He is very tenacious of life, and 

 an ordinary shot gun, although it may wound him repeatedly, will seldom 

 bring him down from the tops of the high pines to which he retreats 



when pursued, and in such situations the rifle is the only certain enemy 

 he has to dread. 



'' This squirrel is seldom seen out of its retreat early in the mornings 

 and evenings, as is the habit of the other species. He seems to be a late 

 riser, and usually makes his first appearance at 10 or II o'clock, and re- 

 tires to his domicile long before evening. He does not appear to indulge 

 so frequently in the barking propensities of the genus as the other and 

 smaller species. This note when heard is not very loud but hoarse and 

 guttural. He is easily domesticated, and is occasionally seen in cages, 

 buus less active and sprightly than the smaller species. 



" As an article of food the fox squirrel is apparently equally good with 

 any other species, although I have observed that the little Carolina squir- 



bein 



Where 



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