GROUND-HOG. 303 



During all this time there is kept up a perpetual chatter, 

 and saucy querulous complaint. This characteristic bark 

 and. rattle (a noise like the sound produced by a boy's small 

 watchman's rattle) may be heard almost at any time during 

 the daylight in the woods. He is a hardy, tireless, and self- 

 sufficient little animal, full of fun, and, like all industrious 

 busy persons, happy. He flashes about at all seasons, from 

 midsummer to dead winter, leaving no nut untasted and no 

 snow untracked. He has no disposition to hybernate, like 

 the little striped squirrel of the ground, or even stay within 

 doors, like the gray squirrel, in inclement weather. He is a 

 special favorite of the woodsman, and his form and voice 

 suggest perpetually pine groves and the beauties of the 

 wilderness. 



PTEROMYS, (Cuv.) Sciurus Yolucella, (Gmelin.) Ptero- 

 mys Yolucella, or flying squirrel. This curious little animal 

 is found here. It has a range of the United States to the 

 Mississippi River. It is not abundant, is shy, and found only 

 in solitary places. 



TAMIAS, (Illiger.) Sciurus Striatus, (Linn.) Tamias 

 striatus is the Chip Munk, or ground squirrel. This familiar 

 little creature is found every place from Canada to Virginia 

 and the Missouri River. Being earthy in his habits, and 

 held by terrestrial affinities, like other proper earth animals, 

 he hybernates, taking leave of absence during the deep win- 

 ter months. He is a great favorite with children who fre- 

 quent the woods and fields, his striped coat and lively 

 motions being much admired. 



GROUND-HOG. 



ARCTOMYS, (Schreber.) Mus-monax, (Linn.) Arctomys 

 monax, woodchuck, or ground-hog. Abundant ; range, 

 Canada to Virginia and from Massachusetts to Wisconsin. 

 He becomes very fat, is eaten, and said to be good, but sug- 

 gests pup or cat to the imagination. 



