THE ANGLER AND HUNTSMAN 163 



tion, being one of the best game mammals that roams the 

 forest.' 



This is a North American species, having no near rela- 

 tion in the Old World; on the Pacific Coast, in the mountains 

 of the Southwest, and also in Mexico there are other squir- 

 rels with the same gray-colored bodies, but really are not 

 closely related to this species. 



Their barking and chattering noise and their graceful 

 antics among the trees lend animation and color to our 

 woodlands. 



Most if not all States have a closed season on squirrel, 

 their numbers having been so reduced as to make them no 

 longer a menace. 



Gray and Fox squirrels (the latter of the species Sciu- 

 nis niger) were favorite targets for our forefathers, and 

 these mammals have much in common with our folklore and 

 literature. Records show the shooting ability of these pio- 

 neer marksmen, among them Daniel Boone, to "bark" a 

 squirrel, which meant so to cut the bark of the branch on 

 which the squirrel sat as to precipitate it to the ground stun- 

 ned without hitting the animal. 



The gray squirrel is noted for its grace of movement, 

 being able to move along the ground by curving leaps and 

 bounds, and run through the tree-tops, leaping from branch 

 to branch with an ease and assuredness beautiful to behold. 



Rusty Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger rufiventer) : 



Three species of tree squirrels are found in the varied 

 forests of eastern North America. 



In hunting fox squirrels it is imperative to have along a 

 dog, as otherwise they will discover your presence and run 

 ;i\vay before you can get within range, while a good dog will 

 put them up a tree and hold them there until you approach. 



The right thing to do would be to abolish squirrel hunt- 

 ing for a term of years and give them time to replenish their 

 numbers. 



