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SCIUROPTERUS VOLUCELLA, VOLUCELLA. (Pallas) (Allen). 



THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 



Specific Character. — Tail with hairs, nearly as long as the head and body. 

 Above light yellowish brown, the tail similarly coloured or with a more smoke- 

 coloured tinge. Beneath creamy white, the hairs white to the roots ; under sur- 

 face of the tail more reddish. Length of head and body about five inches ; of tail 

 with hairs half an inch less ; hind feet one and a quarter inch. 



Habitat. — United States except the northwestern portion, Mexico and Gua- 

 temala, and throughout Ontario. 



Average Size. — Equal to that of a half grown rat. 



Average Weight. — 6 ounces. 



Average Height. — ^\ inches. 



Average Length. — 9 inches; 5^ inches from nose to tail; tail, 3|^ inches. 



Value of Fur. — Valueless. 



The peculiarity of this beautiful little animal is the flap-like web extending 

 along its sides between the fore and hind legs. This provision enables the ani- 

 mal, when it jumps from tree to tree or from one limb to another to sail as it 

 were in a downward direction. Its fur is delicately soft. It is a harmless little 

 creature, feeding at night principally upon buds, nuts, roots etc. It builds for 

 itself a nest, composed of moss, high up in a small sapling in some dry swampy 

 place . 



The nest often reaches the size of a large pail, and is always provided with 

 two or more openings or escape holes, and it is here the squirrel raises its young, 

 although they are often also found in hollow stubs of trees. 



This squirrel is gregarious, often during the winter as many as eight or ten 

 beiuff found in one hole. 



Owls, hawks, and weasels are its chief enemies. 



The young are born in May, generally four at a time. 



