Penfyhania, near Germantown. 317 



time a great number of fquirrels came down 

 into the colonies, yet the winter was verv 

 mild and no colder than common. But it ap- 

 peared that their migration was occafioned 

 by the icarcity of nuts and acorns, which 

 happened that year in the higher parts of 

 the country, and obliged them to come 

 hither for their food. Therefore thev ge- 

 nerally return the next year to the place 

 from which they came. 



Some people reckon fquirrel fieih a great 

 dainty, but the generality make no account 

 of it. The ikin is good for little, yet fmall 

 ftraps are fometimes made of it, as it is very 

 tough : others uie it as a furr lining, for 

 want of a better. Ladies fhoes are like- 

 wile fometimes made of it. 



The Rattle fnake often devours the 

 fquirrels, notwithstanding all their agi- 

 lity. This unwieldy creature, is faid to 

 catch fo agile an one, merely by fafcination. 

 I have never had an opportunity of feeing 

 how it is done : but fo many credible peo- 

 ple allured me of the truth of the fact, and 

 aliened that they were prefent, and paid 

 peculiar attention to it, that I am almoft 

 forced to believe their unanimous accounts. 

 The fafcination is effected in the following 

 manner : the fnake lies at the bottom of 

 the tree upon which the fquirrel fits ; its 



eyes 



