46 THE PESTS OF THE FARM. 



common throughout the United States, was once so excessively 

 multiplied as to be a scourge to the inhabitants, not only consum- 

 ing their grain, but exhausting the public treasury by the amount 

 of premiums given for their destruction. 



The gray squirrel prefers the oak, hickory and chesnut woods, 

 where it finds a copious supply of nuts and mast, of which it pro- 

 vides large hoards for the winter. Their nests are placed chiefly 

 in tall oak trees at the forks of the branches ; these nests are very 

 comfortable, being thickly covered and lined with dried leaves. 

 During cold weather the squirrels seldom leave these snug re- 

 treats, except for the purpose of visiting their store-houses, and 

 obtaining a supply of provisions. It has been observed that the 

 approach of uncommonly cold weather is foretold when these 

 squirrels are seen out in unusual numbers, gathering a larger stock 

 of provisions, lest their magazines should tail. This, however, is 

 not an infallible sign, at least in vicinities where many hogs are al- 

 lowed to roam at large, as these keen-nosed brutes are very expert 

 at discovering the winter hoards of the squirrel, which they imme- 

 diately appropriate to their own use. 



If the gray squirrels confined themselves to the diet afforded by 

 the forest trees, the farmers would profit considerably thereby. 

 But, having once tasted the sweetness of Indian corn and other 

 cultivated grains, they leave acorns and such coarse fare to the 

 hogs, while they invade the corn fields, and carry off and destroy 

 a very large quantity. This species is remarkable among all our 

 squirrels for its beauty and activity. 



The gray squirrel varies considerably in color, but is most com- 

 monly of a fine bluish gray, mingled with a slight golden hue. 

 This golden color is especially obvious on the head, along the sides, 

 where the white hair of the belly approaches the gray of the sides, 

 and on the anterior part 01 the fore and superior part of the hind 

 feet, where it is very rich and deep. This mark on the hind feet 

 is very permanent, and evident even in those varieties which differ 

 most from the common color. There is one specimen in the Phi- 

 ladelphia Museum of a light brownish red on all the superior parts 

 of the body. 



The Common Red Squirrel, or Hudson's Bay Squirrel of 

 Naturalists. This beautiful species is very common in the north- 

 ern and western parts of this country, and, where seldom dis- 

 turbed, are so fearless as to allow themselves to be approached 

 almost within reach. 



