46 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



area near the tip of this peninsula is a small population of fox 

 squirrels, which differ from the eastern fox squirrels in colora- 

 tion by lacking the buff and russet tints. They form a local 

 race, named by H. H. Bailey in honor of the ornithologist 

 Walter E. Bryant. 



In a small series of specimens of this squirrel the coloration is 

 remarkably uniform. The entire dorsal surface of the body is a 

 hoary gray, the result of abundant white-tipped hairs mixed 

 with black hairs. On the forehead the black hairs slightly pre- 

 dominate. The under surfaces from chin to root of tail are 

 white. Feet and ears dull white, sometimes with a faint tinge 

 of buffy. Tail mixed black and white both above and below, 

 the black forming a narrow and continuous submarginal 

 border on the under side. 



Although, according to Bailey, the local gunners secure a 

 few each season in Dorchester County, this race is so localized, 

 with little or no likelihood of its increasing its range, that it 

 must be thought of as like an island form threatened with 

 gradual encroachment on its available habitat. For this reason 

 it is likely in time to become more and more restricted, with 

 little possibility of long survival unless given special protection. 



Concerning the present status of this squirrel, I am indebted 

 for a few details to David V. Black, manager of the Blackwater 

 National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, Md., who in response to 

 inquiries writes, under date of March 21, 1941: "I have talked 

 with several persons in Dorchester County about the fox 

 squirrels found here, and they all seem to be of the opinion 

 that they are fairly abundant and are found in all parts of the 

 county. There is no particular protection given to Bryant's 

 fox squirrel. It is hunted indiscriminately with other squirrels 

 during the open seasons in the State. I do not think that it is 

 threatened with extermination as yet. Most of the timber 

 has been cut out in the county, and what little remains seems 

 to be in the process of cutting with small portable sawmills, so 

 that the natural habitat for squirrels and other woods dwellers 

 is continually diminishing. The squirrels do occur on the 

 refuge, where, of course, no hunting is allowed." 



