Penfyhania, near Germantown. 253 



of the ground from one of thefe branches. The 

 advantage they have from hence, is, that when 

 they ftroll about for food, and the hole is ftopt up 

 through which they went out, they may not ex- 

 pofe themfelves to be caught, but prefently find 

 the other hole, into which they may retreat: but 

 in autumn, when the leaves fall from the trees, 

 or fome time after, it is diverfion to fee the con.- 

 fternation they are fometimes in when purfued ; 

 for their holes being eafily covered with the great 

 fall of leaves, or by the wind, they have a great 

 deal to do, to find them on a fudden : they then 

 run backwards and forwards, as if they had loft 

 their way i they feem to know the places where 

 they have made their fubterraneous walks, but 

 cannot conceive where the entrances are. If they 

 be then purfued, and one claps his hands, they 

 know no other refuge than that of climbing up- 

 on a tree ; for it is to be obferved that thefe fquir- 

 rels always live under ground, and never climb 

 upon trees unlefs purfued, and unable in the hur- 

 ry to find their holes. This kind of fquirrels is 

 much more numerous in Penfyhania, than in 

 any other province of North America through 

 which I have travelled. Its length is commonly 

 fix inches, without the curved tail ; and it is ve- 

 ry narrow. The fkin is ferruginous, or of a 

 reddifh brown, and marked with five black ftreaks, 

 one of which runs along the back, and two on 

 each fide. Their food confifts of all forts of 

 corn, as rye, barley, wheat, maize, and of 

 acorns, nuts, &c. They gather their winter 

 provifions in autumn, like the common grey 

 fquirrels, and keep them in their holes under 



ground. 



