134 



COMMON SQUIRREL. 



Sciurus Vulgaris. S. autia/lis apice barbatis, caitda dorso cwi- 



colore. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 145. 

 Reddish brown Squirrel, white beneath, with pencilled ears. 

 Sciurus vulgaris rufus, &c. Briss. Quadr. 150. n. i. 

 Sciurus. Gesn. Quadr. 845 . Aldr. dig. 396. Jonst. 163. 

 L'Ecureuil. Ruff. j. p. 253. pi. 32. 

 Common Squirrel. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 139. 



THE general appearance and manners of this 

 species are so well known that it might seem al- 

 most unnecessary to particularize them. It is a 

 native of almost all parts of Europe as well as of 

 the northern and temperate parts of Asia, but is 

 observed to vary in the cast of its colours in dif- 

 ferent climates, and in the northern regions be- 

 comes grey in winter* : it also varies occasionally 

 in size. The general measure of the European 

 Squirrel seems to be about eight inches from nose 

 to tail, and of the tail about seven. The colour is 



* This change of colour in the northern squirrels is not altogether 

 owing to the severity of the cold, but takes place even in such as are 

 kept in a warm room. Dr. Pallas had one brought to him on the i2th 

 of September, which was then entirely red, or of the usual bright 

 ferruginous colour; but, about the 4th of October, many parts of 

 the body began to grow hoary ; and at the time of its death, which 

 happened on the 4th of November, the whole body had attained a 

 grey colour, and the legs alone with a small part of the face> re- 

 tained their original tinge. The furs of the northern squirrels, in 

 their grey or winter state, are extremely fine and soft, and are 

 known to the furriers by the name of Petit-Gris ; by which title 

 according to the Count de BurFon, those belonging to the Grey 

 Squirrel of America, or following species., are also called. 



