MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 157 



Sciurus hudsonius PALLAS. 



CHICKAREE. 



This pleasant but spiteful little squirrel, which is the most 

 common member of the genus in Minnesota, is found abund- 

 antly wherever trees afford it the necessary conditions. It is 

 not found upon the prairies but follows the sparsely timbered 

 river valleys, even to Big Stone lake, though rarely. Its merry 

 chir-r-r-r-r is the first greeting to the traveler, along the open- 

 ings bordering the "Big Woods," and it is frequent in the 

 northern parts of the state. It measures 6. 00-7. 50 to the root of 

 the tail which is 6-7; head about 2; ear 1.50. Color, above 

 grayish fulvous with a broad dorsal band of red. Under parts 

 white or grey. The tail is colored as the back but its long 

 hairs have a black band and yellowish tips. The upper sur- 

 faces of the feet vary with the seasons and age, being either of 

 the same color as the back or of a golden orange, often parti- 

 colored during the moult. The black lateral line seems also to 

 be a seasonable character. The ears are blackish and have 

 small pencils in winter. The feet are furry below in winter. 

 The northern regions furnish larger specimens than farther 

 south. In Minnesota the coloration and to some extent the size 

 is very variable and would appear not to afford any indication 

 of geographical variation. 



The chickaree is strictly arboreal and does not hybernate. 

 Its food normally consists of nuts and grains, but it delights to 

 vary this diet with animal food occasionally and commits depre- 

 dations upon the nests of various birds eating the young birds 

 with a relish. It is thought by woodsmen that this active squir- 

 rel drives out the gray squirrel or harrasses it until it is glad 

 to leave the territory claimed by it. The winter store is said 

 to be collected in several places rather than in a single store- 

 house, as in the case of the chipmunk. Like the larger spe- 

 cies, the red squirrel collects leaves and grass in the branches 

 forming a nest for protection against cold during severe 

 weather. 



The young are cared for in hollow trees until able to care 

 for themselves. 



Sciurus carolinensis, var. leucotis GAPPER. 



GRAY OR BLACK SQUIRREL. 



The gray squirrel is locally rather abundant in Minnesota, and 

 is gaining rather than loosing as settlement continues. Color, 



