CHAPTER X. 



SQUIRRELS AND THEIR HABITS THE GRAY AND THE FOX SQUIR- 

 REL -THE BLACK AND THE RED-THE GROUND SQUIRREL OK 

 CHIPMUNK THE FLYING SQUIRREL THE PORCUPINE ITS 

 HABITS AND USE OF ITS QUILLS THE HARE THE VARYING 

 HARE. 



The next family is that of the SQUIRRELS (Sciuridce'), 

 nearly all of them living on trees, for which purpose their 

 long flexible toes with acute nails, enable them to leap from 

 tree to tree, rarely missing their hold. 



Description. Their tails are long and bushy ; eyes large ; 

 body elongated ; ears erect : they feed on nuts, seeds, grain, 



c. 



Foremost amongst 

 these lively little ani- 

 mals, stands THE GREY 

 SQUIRREL (Sciurus leu- 

 cotis or cinereus^)) found 

 everywhere through the 

 continent. This, as well 

 as some of the other 

 species, in some years 

 becomes exceedingly multiplied, and then perhaps for some 

 years very few of them will be seen. This sudden increase 

 and diminution of their numbers, seems to depend upon two 

 causes, the supply of food, and the severity of the winters. 

 Their great multiplication generally follows a mild winter, 

 which has been preceded by a productive summer. The 

 Grey Squirrel prefers woods abounding in oak, walnut, but- 

 ternut or hickory trees, as affording him most food : during the 

 fall he collects a supply for the winter, which he deposits in 



