RODENTIA. 125 



or June it commences to rear a young family, usually four or 

 five in number. In the fall of the year it carefully hoards up 

 its winter stores, which are concealed in holes and crevices of 

 trees not far from its retreat. In Sweden and Lapland, the color 

 of the Common Squirrel becomes gray in the winter season ; in 

 Siberia it is often seen entirely white ; in other regions slight va- 

 riations of color are also noticed. 



In the varieties found on this continent, the pencil of hairs 

 which tufts the Common Red Squirrel is wanting. The Gray 

 Squirrel, (S. CaroZinensis, or migratorius, Lat. migratory,) 

 is one of the most common American species, found along the 

 Atlantic, from Hudson's Bay to Carolina. Of this De Kay enu- 

 merates five varieties. It is about the same length as the Com- 

 mon Squirrel, (15 inches.) One of the most remarkable pecul- 

 iarities of this species is a propensity to distant emigration in 

 large numbers. 



The Northern Migratory or Gray Squirrels are as much dreaded 

 by the farmers of the West, as the devouring locust by the East- 

 ern nations Everything suited to their taste vanishes before 

 them, and no obstacle can withstand their progress. It is be- 

 lieved by many that they pass rivers seated on a piece of bark 

 brought by them for the purpose, and their tails hoisted for a 

 sail. Audubon saw troops of squirrels cross the Hudson river 

 at different places between Waterford and Saratoga, in the au- 

 tumn of 1808 or 1809, but said they appeared to him unskillful 

 sailors and clumsy swimmers. 



S. vulpinus, (Lat. vulpes, fox.) The FOX-SQTTIRREL abounds 

 in the pine forests of the Southern States, feeding upon the seeds 

 of the cones of the long-leaved pitch pine, (pinus palustris, 

 Lat. marshy,) acorns and other nuts. It makes long journeys 

 to visit corn fields when the corn is in the milky state, and 

 often erects a temporary summer house in their vicinity. 



S. Palmarum, (Lat. of palms.) The Palm-Squirrel, usually 

 seen frisking about palm trees, is said to be remarkably fond of 

 palm wine. They are often taken to England alive. 



S. Ulineatus, (Lat. marked with double lines.) The Plantain- 

 Squirrel, kept by the Javanese as a pet ; the tail trails gracefully 

 upon the ground ; when angry it bristles up like an irritated cat; 

 when asleep, rolls itself up like a dormouse, with its tail encir- 

 cling its body. 



S. niger, (Lat. black.) The Black Squirrel of a glossy black 

 with a lighter shade beneath; claws covered with hair; the 

 hind legs have a few scattering hairs ; the fur is softer and finer 

 than that of the little Gray Squirrel, before which this species is 



