Monograph of the Genus Sciurus. 303 



mlums for the destruction of these depredators. In several of the north- 

 ern and western states, the inhabitants on an appointed day, are in the 

 habit of turning out on what is called a squirrel hunt. They arrange 

 themselves under opposite leaders, each party being stimulated by the 

 ambition of victory, and of fastening on the other the expense of a 

 bountiful supper. The himters range the forest in every direction, and 

 the accounts given us of the number of squirrels brought together at 

 the evening rendezvous, are almost incredible. 



" In addition to the usual enemies of this species in the northern states, 

 such as the weasel, fox, lynx, &c., the red-tailed hawk seems to regard it 

 as his natural and lawful prey. It is amusing to see the skill and dexter- 

 ity exercised by botli in tiie attack and defence. When the hawk is un- 

 accompanied by his mate, he finds it no easy matter to secure the squir- 

 rel ; unless the latter be unconsciously pounced upon whilst on the 

 ground, he is enabled, by his dodgings and twistings round the limb of a 

 tree, to evade the attacks of the hawk for hours, and frequently worries 

 him into a reluctant retreat. But the red-tail, like other robbers, has 

 learnt by experience that he is most certain of his prey when hunting in 

 couples. He is frequently accompanied by his mate, especially in the 

 breeding season, and in this case the contest is soon decided. They 

 course rapidly, in opposite directions, above and below the limb; the at- 

 tention of the squirrel is thus divided and distracted, and before he is 

 aware of it, the talons of the hawk are in his back, and with a shriek of 

 triumph the latter bears him off, either to the aery of his young, or to 

 some low limb of a tree, or to a sheltered situation on the ground, where, 

 with a suspicious glance towards each other, and an occasional hissing 

 and growling for the choice parts, the hawks devour their prey. 



" This species of squirrel has occasionally excited the wonder of the 

 populace, by its wandering habits, and its singular and long migrations. 

 Like the lemming {Lemmiis Norvcgicus) of the eastern continent, it is 

 stimulated, either from a scarcity of food, or from some other inexplicable 

 instinct, to leave its native haunts, and seek for adventures or for food in 

 some distant and, to him, unexplored portion of our land. The news- 

 papers from the west contain frequent details of these migrations; they 

 appear to have been more frequent in former years than at the present 

 time. The farmers in the western wilds regard them with sensations 

 which may be compared to the anxious appiehensions of the eastern na- 

 tions at the flight of the devouring locust. At such periods, which usually 

 occur in autumn, the squirrels congregate in different districts of the far 

 northwest, and, in irregular troops, bend their way instinctively in an 

 eastern direction. Mountains and cleared fields, — the head waters of 

 lakes and broad rivers, — present no unconquerable impediments. On- 

 ward they come, devouring on their way every thing that is suited to a 

 squirrel's taste, — laying w^aste the corn and wheat fields of the farmer ; 



